Question:
Orthodox faction objects to ordinance

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to resolve disputes over burial of bodies in churches under the possession of Jacobite and Orthodox factions, the state cabinet on Wednesday approved an ordinance to ensure burial rights for believers in their church cemeteries. The Orthodox faction has condemned the move, saying it is not in accordance with the Supreme Court verdict and is an attempt to bring in parallel administration in churches.The cabinet has sent the ordinance for the consideration of the governor. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters that the ordinance would ensure the right of any family of a parish to bury bodies of its family members in the cemetery of the church where their family tomb is situated, irrespective of any objection or dispute. If there is no family tomb, a believer’s body will be buried in the cemetery of his/her parish church.Vijayan said the ordinance would also allow the family of the deceased to conduct the post-death rituals anywhere outside the church or cemetery by a priest of their choice. The provision will allow a family to perform the final rites at a Jacobite church and conduct the burial in an Orthodox church where the family tomb is situated and vice versa.He said the government had to take the decision as the cabinet subcommittee that was formed to resolve the disputes between the Orthodox and Jacobite factions could not succeed in its efforts.“One of the factions refused to even discuss the matter with the sub-committee. There is nothing illegal in the ordinance. The usual custom is that a body should be buried at the earliest and when one section decides not to concede to any solution, the government cannot be a mute spectator. We are also not going against anything ruled by the Supreme Court,” the chief minister said.The Jacobite Church has welcomed the move but Orthodox Church episcopal synod secretary Metropolitan Yuhanon Mar Diascoros said the clause in the ordinance that anyone can cremate the body of a parish member in the cemetery cannot be approved.“The right for getting buried in a cemetery belonging to Orthodox Church is only for those belonging to the parish church. The vicar of the parish is in charge of the cemetery. The clause allowing anyone to enter the cemetery and bury the dead is a violation of the Supreme Court verdict. The Supreme Court had made it clear that it will not allow parallel rule in the cemetery. Burying bodes in the cemetery without the permission of priests who have officially become the vicars through the court judgment will create anarchy,” he said.The cabinet also decided to re-promulgate the Kerala education (amendment) ordinance 2019, the Kerala devaswom recruitment board (amendment) ordinance 2019, the Kerala state goods and services tax (amendment) ordinance and the Kerala minerals ordinance.

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Thiruvananthapuram: In a bid to end the Church feud over burial grounds, the Kerala government on Wednesday proposed an ordinance making burial a right of every Christian at his or her parish cemetery.

The ordinance in effect will benefit the Jacobite faction of Malankara Church as the ongoing property dispute between the Jacobite and Orthodox Church had resulted in an undue delay in burials.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the state government has introduced the ordinance as the warring factions were unable to reach a consensus. “The Cabinet had appointed a sub-committee to look into the issue and amicably solve it. But even after reaching out only one faction was ready for discussion. Instances of burial being obstructed were reported. Since it was becoming a social issue, the government intervened, ” he said.

The dispute between Jacobite and the Orthodox faction over properties is continuing for long in Kerala and even after a Supreme Court verdict in 2017, the feud is yet to die down.

The special investigation team (SIT) probing the Koodathayi serial murders submitted the chargesheet in the murder of Roy Thomas before the Thamarassery Judicial First Class Magistrate's Court II in Kozhikode district on Wednesday.

The chargesheet, running into 1,800 pages, was the first of six sensational cases in which the prime accused Jolly Joseph allegedly eliminated two branches of the Ponnamattom ancestral family after giving them cyanide-laced food or drink over a period of 14 years.

The 47-year-old was named the first accused in the murder of her former husband Roy on September 30, 2011. Along with Jolly, the chargesheet named M.S. Mathew, aka Shaji, 44, and Prajikumar, 44, who allegedly helped Jolly in getting the cyanide and a former Communist Party of India (Marxist) functionary K. Manoj, 41, who helped to forge documents.

Jolly's mother-in-law Annamma Thomas; her father-in-law Tom Thomas, a retired Education Department officer; Sily, wife of Shaju Zacharias, Jolly’s second husband; Sily's two-year-old daughter Alphine; and Annamma’s brother-in-law Mathew Manjadiyil were the other victims.

Crime Branch Superintendent of Police K.G. Simon said the accused were charged under Sections 302 (murder), 120 B (criminal conspiracy), 465 (forgery), 467 (forgery of valuable security and will), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), 110 (punishment for abetment if person abetted does act with different intention from that of abettor), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence or giving false information to screen offender), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 6 (2) [penalty for unlawful importation] of the Poison Act.

The extraordinary case had 242 witnesses, 322 documents, and 22 material objects, Mr. Simon said.

Now, the chargesheet would be submitted to the Kozhikode Sessions Court. The chargesheets in the remaining murder cases would be filed shortly.

Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 1

Trend:

"2019 will go down in history as a year of in-depth reforms. Political reforms, personnel reforms, structural reforms, economic, reforms in the political and social spheres have made us stronger. Our economy grew this year, the non-oil sector of the economy grew by more than 3 percent," said President Ilham Aliyev in his message of congratulation to the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis and the New Year.

"Our foreign debt accounts for only 17 percent of the GDP. This is the ninth indicator in the world. In the following years, our foreign debt will decline further. Our foreign exchange reserves have grown by $4.5 billion this year, reaching a record high of $50 billion. Our currency reserves exceed our foreign debt more than five times. In other words, this shows the sustainability of the economic and financial opportunities of our country. Industrial production has increased, especially in the non-oil sector, by 14 percent. There is a 7 percent increase in agriculture. So the successful development of our country in all key areas is a reality," the head of state added.

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100 medics hired in October not posted

At least 100 health workers who were hired in October, 2019, are yet to be posted by the Kisumu County government.And the county risks losing up to Sh130 million in payment of wages to the medics since their contracts are binding. The stalemate comes in the backdrop of the sorry state of the county’s health system, which has seen back-to-back strikes by doctors, nurses and clinical officers. Nurses, clinical officers, pharmaceutical technologists, radiographers and laboratory technicians hired three months ago are yet to be engaged as the county administration claims it has no money to pay them. However, Health Executive Judy Attyang confirmed that the officers would have to be paid their full dues despite not offering any services to the county since they have signed contracts. According to the contract signed on October 14, 2019 between the medics and the county government, the health workers were to report to their work stations a day later. “I am pleased to convey the decision of the County Public Service Board that you have been appointed as job group CPSB in the county government of Kisumu,” read an appointment letter to one of those hired.

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According to the contract, the health workers were set to be engaged for three years, with the lowest paid earning a basic salary of Sh24,580. Yesterday, Prof Attyang blamed the stalemate on miscommunication between the county administration and the County Public Service Board. She said the board did not heed the advice by the county to delay the hiring of the medics until money for their wages was available. “We only advised the board to hire 79 people under the Universal Health Coverage programme, but they ended up hiring 179,” she said. The 79 who were set to have one-year contracts were, however, posted to various hospitals, with the remaining 100 advised to wait until the county government gets money. “It is true that the 100 were hired, but we cannot post them because we do not have money... but we will have to backdate their pay once they are posted,” she said. Attyang explained that plans were underway to deploy the workers in the next financial year once funds were available. The affected employees told The Standard they were all given employment letters but a few were deployed. “I resigned from my job thereafter, hoping that I would report to work and support my family. Now I cannot even afford a meal,” said an affected medic who sought anonymity. The medics said efforts to seek the way forward from county officials had been fruitless. A source said 79 of the health workers were given locum letters for one year while 100 were given three-year contracts. The 79 were later called to collect deployment letters. The remaining 100 are yet to receive any communication. Efforts to seek a comment from the public service board were futile. A junior officer told The Standard they were on holiday.

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Thursday, Jan. 2

Cards 1-4 p.m. at Wadena Senior Center.

MOPS (Mothers of preschoolers) meet, 9-11 a.m. at Wadena Alliance Church, 1428 Jefferson St. S.

Monday, Jan. 6

Cards 1-4 p.m. at Wadena Senior Center.

Tuesday, Jan. 7

Tri-County Health Care (TCHC) will host its monthly grief support group from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Wesley Conference Room, located in the lower level of TCHC in Wadena. For more information contact (218)631-5228.

Dance held at Wadena VFW, 1-4 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information call (218)639-0132.

Cards 1-4 p.m. at Wadena Senior Center.

Wednesday, Jan. 8

A senior health clinic sponsored by Wadena County Public Health will be held at Wadena County Public Health, 22 Dayton Ave. SE, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Health screening including blood pressure, foot care, health information and referrals are provided. There is a $20 fee for foot care. Bring your MN Health Plan card if you have one. Services are by appointment only. To make an appointment call Wadena County Public Health at 218-631-7629.

Thursday, Jan. 9

Wadena Whirlaways Square Dance Inc. group will be at the Wadena VFW; dancing will start at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Roger McNeil will be the caller and the theme is Oriental.

Tri-County Health Care (TCHC) and the National Alzheimer’s Association will host a Memory Loss Support Group for Caregivers meeting at 2:30 p.m. in the Wesley conference room in the lower level of Tri-County Hospital in Wadena. This group seeks to show caregivers of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia that they are not alone, and broaden their skills to better care for and understand their loved ones dealing with memory loss. For more information contact TCHC’s Medical Social Services at 218-631-5228 or visit TCHC.org.

Other/Upcoming Events

Wadena’s Community Dinner will be held on Jan. 30 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 403 2nd St. SE. This will be a Turkey dinner. No cost, all are welcome. Serving from 4:30-6 p.m.

Standing dates

Celebrate Recovery program will be held at the Verndale Family Life Church, 402 Clark Dr. NE, from 6-8 p.m. every Sunday. Childcare available if needed. For more information please call (218) 445-5568.

SAIL (Stay Active & Independent for Life) is offering classes to improve strength, balance and fitness for seniors. Classes will be held Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Verndale Fire Hall Mtg. Room, 101 S. Brown St., Verndale. For information and to register, contact Sheila Stave 218-632-3600.

Weight Watchers--weigh in at 5 p.m., meeting at 5:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Maslowski Wellness and Research Center--17 5th St. SW. If you have questions please contact Jeannie.A.Stromberg@weightwatchers.com .

. Alcoholics Anonymous open meetings - Sunday and Tuesday, 10 a.m.; Friday, noon; every night at 8 p.m., all at 421 NW Fourth St., Wadena. For more information, call (218)631-3828.

Narcotics anonymous meetings - 8 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday at 421 NW Fourth St., Wadena. For more information, call (218)631-3828.

Al-Anon - 9:30 a.m. Saturday; noon Wednesday, 421 NW Fourth St., Wadena. For more information, call (218)631-3828.

Alcoholics Anonymous, closed meetings - Fridays at 8 p.m., Tuesdays at 8 p.m., Verndale, 106 Thompson St. SW.

Dual Recovery Anonymous meetings - Fridays, 4 p.m., Northern Pines Mental Health Center, Inc., Wadena. For more information, call (218)631-1714.

Wellness in the Woods Peer Connection meetings, Fridays at 1 p.m. at 318 Jefferson St. S, Suite 3.

The Sebeka Food Shelf is open Thursday evenings from 5-7 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Sebeka. Contact Kay Oehlenschlager at (218)472-3288 if you have any questions.

Wood carvers invited to carve personal projects from 1-3 p.m. every Thursday at the Wadena Senior Center. Call (218)631-4077 for more information.

Chess Club, 6-8 p.m. every Thursday, Wadena City Library.

TOPS MN 9087 - every Wednesday, weigh-in 6:30 p.m., meeting 7:30 p.m., lower level of the Wadena VFW.

Wadena City Library story time, every Wednesday at 10 a.m., stories and fun for toddlers, preschoolers and parents, too.

TOPS MN 1808, every Wednesday, weigh-in 10 a.m., meeting at 10:30 a.m., Humphrey Manor Community Room.

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One of the biggest peacetime evacuations in Australian history is under way as devastating bushfires threaten a 250km stretch of the south-east coastline.

Catastrophic conditions which fanned blazes on the New South Wales south coast and in eastern Victoria on Wednesday will return on Saturday as the mercury hits 46C.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has told people to flee the area from Bateman's Bay down to the state border - as a navy landing ship prepares to evacuate people trapped in Mallacoota in eastern Victoria as roads are closed off.

'If you are planning on visiting the South Coast this weekend, it is not safe. Do not be in the area on Saturday,' the service said.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance called it the 'largest evacuation of people out of the region ever' as a queue of cars clogged the highway toward Sydney while thousands fled.

Locals and holidaymakers who decided to stay queued for hours for supplies as panic-buying emptied shelves at supermarkets which were powered by generators as electricity was turned off.

At 10am on Thursday the HMAS Choules and the MV Sycamore, a defence contracted training vessel, arrived off the coast of Mallacoota where 4,000 people are stranded - as troops in helicopters delivered food, water and medicine to isolated towns.

The ships will tomorrow morning carry hundreds from the town to either Western Port or Port Welshpool, depending on which has more favourable conditions.

Those who choose to leave after three meetings with police and defence officials this afternoon and evening will be loaded at 7am via smaller boats.

Tourists and residents have been told to evacuate a 250km stretch of the New South Wales south coast as devastating bushfires threaten the area

A firefighter sprays foam retardant on a back burn ahead of a fire front in the New South Wales town of Jerrawangala on January 1

Residents met in the Mallacoota town hall on Thursday afternoon for an evacuation briefing by defence force officials

Left: Commanding Officer of HMAS Choules CMDR Scott Houlihan leading a liaison team to meet with community leaders in Mallacoota, Victoria. Right: HMAS Choules travels through smokey haze off the coast of Mallacoota, Victoria on 2 January

HMAS Choules' enhanced medical team disembarks a MRH-90 Taipan maritime support helicopter as the ship prepares to provide support to the communities affected by bushfires

Holidaymakers attempting to flee Batemans Bay before temperatures reach 46C on Saturday were trapped on the roads with long rows of cars seen piled up on Thursday

HMAS Choules' flight deck team marshals an aircraft as the ship prepares to provide support to the communities affected by bushfires

HMAS Choules (pictured leaving Sydney Harbour on Wednesday) will provide relief to 4,000 people who remain stranded in Mallacoota, Victoria

On Wednesday more than 300 residents were seen queuing outside a Woolworths in Ulladulla, NSW as fires raged

This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows a firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra

RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers told the ABC officials are desperate to get tourists out before Saturday as strong winds, scorching temperatures and low humidity was forecast.

'We have so many fires still burning down there … and quite close to communities as well,' he said.

'We won't get containment on those fires before Saturday.'

HMAS Choules HMAS Choules is a Bay-class landing ship that served with the British Royal Navy from 2006 to 2011. The vessel was built by Swan Hunter in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear. She was named after Largs Bay in Ayrshire, Scotland. During her career with the RFA, Largs Bay served as the British ship assigned to patrol the Falkland Islands in 2008, and delivered relief supplies following the 2010 Haiti earthquake. When she was bought by Australia in 2011, she was re-named HMAS Choules. Advertisement

Major highways leading out of the leave zone, including the Princes Highway between Milton and Nowra, were reopened on Thursday. Falls Creek at Jervis Bay Road and Corks Lane at Milton has also reopened but with reduced speed.

However, many people have struggled to flee as many petrol stations have either run out of fuel or are without power. Queues of cars have been seen at the remaining petrol stations around Batemans Bay that still have stock.

Tankers of 60,000 litres of fuel were brought in overnight to help with the disaster.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said in press conference on Thursday afternoon that 17 people are missing feared dead and one is confirmed dead after fires in Gippsland on Wednesday.

Talking about the evacuation effort, he said the HMAS Choules was able to carry roughly 700 passengers at a time.

'We think around 3,000 tourists and 1,000 locals are there. Not all of those will want to leave, not all can get on the vessel at one time,' he said.

'Then there's a whole lot of planning going on about where that vessel will go, it will be a long trip, potentially a 10 or 12 hour trip to take them to another port and then to provide them with all the support they will need.'

Meanwhile, Kosciuszko National Park is being evacuated ahead of Saturday. 'This is an essential measure to protect life,' National Parks and Wildlife has warned.

Hundreds of fires are burning out of control across the country in a horrific season which has killed 18 people, razed 1,298 homes and destroyed millions of hectares of land.

The NSW Rural Fire Service has told people to flee the area from Bateman's Bay down to the state border

An evacuation zone stretching more than 250 kilometers along the New South Wales South Coast has been set up as scorching temperatures and more devastating bushfires threaten the area

Thousands of people are stranded in the seaside town of Mallacoota (pictured trapped on the beach on Tuesday)

This picture taken on December 31, 2019 shows a firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires near the town of Nowra on the NSW south coast

Business owner Sally Anne Wilson (left) stands in front of her destroyed shop with her partner Christopher Lee in Cobargo, NSW, Wednesday, January 1, 2020

On Wednesday more than 300 residents were seen queuing outside a Woolworths in Ulladulla, NSW, which has experienced power outages

This satellite image shows the devastation of the fires devastating the coastal town of Batemans Bay, on the NSW south coast, early Wednesday morning as the blaze continues to spread

Hundreds of fires are still burning out of control across the country, destroying millions of hectares, killing 18 and leaving 1,200 homes destroyed, with catastrophic 46C weather forecast for Saturday

Water supplies in towns in both Victoria and New South Wales have been affected by the fires.

On Tuesday boil notices were issued for Quaama, Cobargo, Bermagui, Beauty Point, Fairhaven, Wallaga Lake, Wallaga Lake Heights, Wallaga Lake Koori Village and Akolele after disinfection infrastructure was lost.

Power was restored to 11,000 homes in New South Wales' South Coast on Wednesday but more than 30,000 people are still without electricity or internet.

People who had suffered horrific burns or were injured in the fires were forced to wait for more than 24 hours until they were rescued by the Navy as roads remain closed.

Since Monday, eight have been killed and four are missing feared dead in the fires in NSW and Victoria.

On Wednesday a 42-year-old man was rescued by a Navy helicopter from Cadgee, south of Moruya, and a 49-year-old woman and 23-year-old woman were rescued from Nowra.

Tourists walk through dense smoke from bushfires in front of the Batemans Bay bridge as cars line up to leave the town in New South Wales to head north on January 2

Traffic has been barely moving as hundreds flee Batemans Bay in New South Wales before temperatures skyrocket on Saturday

AUSTRALIA'S BUSHFIRE CRISIS AT A GLANCE NEW SOUTH WALES: - 15 lives lost, four in the past 48 hours - One person remains missing - More than 110 bushfires burning - 3.6 million hectares burned, greater than the size of Belgium - 1,298 homes confirmed destroyed VICTORIA: - Two people dead, 17 more missing - About 50 bushfires burning - More than 766,000 hectares burned - 68 structures confirmed destroyed but this number is expected to rise significantly TASMANIA: - More than 30 bushfires burning, seven of significance - 8000 hectares burned - One home confirmed destroyed SOUTH AUSTRALIA: - One person dead - About 20 bushfires burning, three of significance - More than 60,000 hectares burned - 88 homes confirmed destroyed QUEENSLAND: - About 30 bushfires burning - 250,000 hectares burned - 45 homes confirmed destroyed WESTERN AUSTRALIA: - More than 30 bushfires burning, two of significance - 1.2 million hectares burned - One home confirmed destroyed Advertisement

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that trees had fallen on roads and had become welded to the bitumen making the task of clearing highways even more difficult.

There are concerns that food supplies will deplete quickly with no way to deliver more food.

On Wednesday more than 300 residents were seen queuing outside a Woolworths in Ulladulla, which has experienced power outages.

Store manager Craig Scott said the supermarket was running on a recently purchased generator - but it was close to running out of fuel.

He was hoping local boat owners would share their diesel to ensure essential food and milk wouldn't spoil.

'The power's out in town, but we decided to open the store just for necessities, so people can get nappies, baby food, all that sort of stuff,' he said.

In the town of Tura Beach there were long queues of people waiting to fill up on petrol and to get supplies at the supermarket.

One woman called Kerry told the ABC: 'A car queue of 50 waiting to get petrol and people in Woolworths clearing the shelves … apocalyptic.'

Ulladulla Woolworths opened its doors on Wednesday to give locals unable to leave the chance to stock up on supplies

A firefighter hosing down trees and flying embers in an effort to secure nearby houses in Nowra, NSW, on Tuesday

Vehicles gutted by bushfires are seen in the town of Lake Conjola in New South Wales on January 1, 2020

Workers erect fences around properties that were destroyed in a bushfire in Cobargo on January 1

Conditions improved on Wednesday for firefighters but RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned of hellish weather this weekend which would be worse than Tuesday, despite roads reopening.

'Unfortunately that also correlates with where we have some of the worst, most damaging ad destructive bushfires in NSW at the moment,' he said.

Very high fire danger is forecast on Thursday for eight fire districts on or west of the Great Diving Range while high fire risk is due for some coastal regions.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said communities needed to brace for the worrying weekend and more fatalities possibly coming to light in coming days.

'Many people who have been here for decades are just completely shocked that the fire reached as far as it did,' she told reporters at Batemans Bay.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys asked for patience as police and utility providers tried their best to get power and telecom services restored down the south coast.

'We have to make sure that when we restart the power, we do that with safety and confidence, that it will remain on. People need to understand this is not a simple or easy task.'

Mr Fitzsimmons said the fires would dominate a vast area from the south eastern corner of NSW up to Illawarra and Shoalhaven. Tourists were warned to get out while they still could.

Eight people have died in bushfires since Monday, seven in New South Wales and one in Victoria.

SLEEPLESS NIGHT FOR NSW SOUTH COAST EVACUEES A Rural Fire Service firefighter conducts mopping up near the town of Sussex Inlet on December 31 By AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS As fires took hold over the NSW south coast on New Year's Eve, evacuees, daytrippers, dogs and a tortoise crammed into a bowling club. Sussex Inlet man David Warner was among a group of locals who had travelled to Nowra by bus before the Princes Highway was blocked off on Tuesday. 'When we came in, everything was blue, it was all good and then 11 o'clock (there was) all these fires, smoke, sirens everywhere,' Mr Warner told AAP on Wednesday. 'I said, we're not going to get back.' Unlike those who had evacuated to Bomaderry Bowling Club, Mr Warner had nothing with him. He said those running the centre were very nice but 'none of us slept at all'. 'It was shocking,' he said. 'I will never forget this New Year's. 'It'll be stuck in my head 'til the day I die.' Near people and their pets - including dogs, cats and a tortoise - he watched Sydney's famous foreshore fireworks on a giant projection screen hanging at the front of the room as sausage sandwiches were served. 'I forgot it was New Year's actually because of all of what was going on,' Mr Warner said. Reality hit home on Wednesday as information from Sussex Inlet began filtering through the evacuation centre. The body of a yet-to-be-identified man was found about midday in a vehicle on Wandra Road. Sussex Inlet was a community where 'everyone knows everyone', Mr Warner said. 'I'm a bit upset about it because I don't know who it is, and we know a lot of people in Sussex,' he said. Crews on Wednesday built containment lines around the massive Currowan fire that impacted Sussex Inlet and other towns over a 100km stretch of the coast. A watch-and-act alert advises communities to monitor conditions, beware of falling trees and seek shelter as the firefront approaches. Advertisement

Conditions are expected to get worse on Saturday with smoke filling the air. Pictured: Wattle Creek Fire on December 19

NSW Police confirmed a total of seven people have been killed and two are unaccounted for in the South Coast bushfires since Monday.

The deaths include dairy farmer Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63, who died trying to save their property in Cobargo, near Bega.

Young father and volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul, 28, was also among those confirmed dead after he was killed by a fire tornado.

A 70-year-old man was found dead outside a home at Yatte Yattah, west of Lake Conjola, on Tuesday night, while another man's body was found in a burnt vehicle on a road off the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah Wednesday morning.

The body of a man was found in a vehicle on Wandra Road at Sussex Inlet about 11.30am Wednesday but is yet to be formally identified, while a seventh body was found outside a home Coolagolite, about 10km east of Cobargo, on Wednesday.

Beloved great-grandfather Mick Roberts, 67, from Buchan, in East Gippsland, as found dead at his home on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, a 72-year-old man is unaccounted for at Belowra, 50km north-west of Cobargo.

An 81-year-old woman who was missing from Conjola Park was found alive on Wednesday.

Destroyed buildings are seen in Cobargo, NSW, Wednesday, January 1, 202. Several bushfire-ravaged communities in NSW have greeted the new year under immediate threat

Pictured: Food truck in Narooma offering free food to locals who have been displaced or affected in the bushfire catastrophe

VICTORIA REELS FROM 'HORRIFYING' EAST GIPPSLAND BUSHFIRES Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews flies in helicopter over the East Gippsland fires in Victoria on Wednesday January 1 By AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Victorians are reeling from 'hurricane-like' and 'horrifying' bushfires which have claimed the life of a man in East Gippsland. Mick Roberts had not made contact with family for more than 24 hours and on Wednesday his niece Leah Parson confirmed he had been found dead at his Buchan home. 'He's not missing anymore,' Ms Parsons wrote on the East Gippsland fire season 2019-2020 Facebook page. 'His body has been found in his house..very sad day for us to srart (sic) the year but we're a bloody tight family and we will never forget our mate and my beautiful Uncle Mick.' Victoria Police said a person had been found dead in Buchan, but the cause of his death has not yet been confirmed. Earlier on Wednesday Premier Daniel Andrews said four people were still missing, but would not say what communities in East Gippsland the people belonged to. 'Everything is being done to try and establish the whereabouts of these people,' he told reporters at the Bairnsdale incident control centre. Mr Andrews lamented reports of Mr Roberts' death. 'It is of course the worst of all news, the notion that someone has lost their life,' he told ABC Gippsland. After spending more than a day on emergency alert, the bushfire threat in East Gippsland and at Corryong in northeast Victoria was downgraded to watch and acts. More than 500,000 hectares have been burnt, after three fires in East Gippsland combined on Tuesday. The blaze at Corryong has burnt at least 109,000 hectares. The total area burnt has exceeded that of the Black Saturday bushfires of February 2009. There were more than 40 fires still burning across Victoria at 9:30pm on Wednesday with 11 at the watch and act level. The risk of flare-ups elsewhere remains. Conditions are expected to worsen on Saturday and dry lightning has continued to spark new fires. Mr Andrews spent Wednesday in East Gippsland where he said emotions were running high. 'I spoke with people today and they just said it was hurricane-like, horrifying, terrifying, the most frightening experience of their life.' 'The next few days are going to be a lot of hard work and the next few months will be a very long and steady process of helping these communities to rebuild,' the premier said. So far, confirmed property losses are 24 structures at Buchan, 19 at Sarsfield, 10 at Mallacoota and up to 15 at Cudgewa. Power has been cut to more than 7000 properties at East Gippsland and more than 1800 in the northeast. AusNet said it could take days to restore power because it was unsafe to attend and assess the extent of damage. Phones remain cut across much of the region and people are struggling to communicate with loved ones and get the latest information on the fire risk. A boil water notice was put in place for Mallacoota, an isolated coastal holiday town near the NSW border, from Tuesday to reduce public health risks. A NSW police boat brought in water to Mallacoota on Tuesday and a Victoria water police boat is taking 1.6 tonnes of water on Wednesday. A barge from Melbourne with two weeks' supply of food, water and fuel is also making its way to the town. After a request from the premier on Tuesday, military personnel have begun helping with the relief effort, including undertaking rapid damage assessments. Aircraft including Black Hawk helicopters are expected to land in the east of the state on Wednesday with other aircraft and naval vessels due in coming days to move people out of the area. Naval vessels including HMAS Choules left Sydney bound for the East Gippsland coast on Tuesday evening and training vessel MV Sycamore has also been deployed. Advertisement

Frightening satellite images from January 1 showed the horrifying extent of the bushfires on the NSW South Coast

Smoke and flames are seen rising from burning trees as bushfires hit the bushland surrounding the small town of Nowr

2019/2020 FIRE SEASON DEATH TOLL NSW Police confirmed a total of seven people have been killed and two are unaccounted for in the South Coast bushfires since Monday. The recent deaths include dairy farmer Patrick Salway, 29, and his father Robert, 63, who died trying to save their property in Cobargo, near Bega. A 70-year-old man was found dead outside a home at Yatte Yattah, west of Lake Conjola, on Tuesday night, while another man's body was found in a burnt vehicle on a road off the Princes Highway at Yatte Yattah Wednesday morning. The body of a man was found in a vehicle on Wandra Road at Sussex Inlet about 11.30am Wednesday but is yet to be formally identified, while a seventh body was found outside a home Coolagolite, about 10km east of Cobargo, on Wednesday. Beloved great-grandfather Mick Roberts, 67, from Buchan, in East Gippsland, was found dead at his home on Wednesday morning. On Sunday, young father and volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul, 28, was fighting a blaze in Jingellic, in Green Valley, about 70km east of Albury on the border of NSW and Victoria, when the truck he was in rolled, killing him instantly. Two other firefighters died on December 19 after a tree fell on their truck while they were travelling through Buxton, south of Sydney. Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32, were later named as the volunteers involved in the tragic accident the following day. Both men were young fathers and had volunteered with the Horsley Park Rural Fire Service brigade for more than a decade. Two people also died in South Australian fires before Christmas, including 69-year-old engineer Ron Selth. His body was found in his Charleston home, which was destroyed by the Cudlee Creek blaze on December 21. Another person died in a fiery car crash on the same day. In early November, just weeks into the horror fire season which has been baring down on the nation for months, three people perished in northern NSW. George Nole's body was found in a burnt out car near his home in Glen Innes while 63-year-old Julie Fletcher's body was pulled from a scorched building in Johns River, north of Taree. Vivian Chaplain, a 69-year-old woman from Wytaliba, succumbed to her injuries in hospital after attempting in vain to save her home and animals from the blaze. The fourth victim was named just days later as 58-year-old Barry Parsons. His body was discovered in bushland on the southern end of the Kyuna Track at Willawarrin, near Kempsey, on November 13. 77-year-old Bob Lindsey and 68-year-old Gwen Hyde were found in their burned out property on October 9th. Advertisement

In Western Australia, another 40 bushfires are still raging, but despite burning through more than 1.2million hectares of land the fires have only destroyed one home.

A bushfire south of Perth was controlled and contained late on Wednesday leading authorities to downgrade their alert about the blaze.

An emergency warning had been issued for the fire at Sandringham Park, Orelia, about 3pm on Wednesday, with residents told the flames could put their homes at risk.

Aerial support had been sent to assist ground crews battling the blaze.

Authorities downgraded the alert to an advice level an hour later, once the fire was under control and contained.

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A two-year-old petition calling for the removal of Meghan McCain from 'The View' has gained an uptick in support, with more than 2,000 joining it in the past few days.

A Wednesday update to the petition - called 'The View on ABC please replace Meghan McCain with Ana Navarro or bring Jedidiah Bila back' - has garnered just over 2,300 signatures.

The 2,000 mark was hit early on Wednesday morning for the petition, which was initially created two years ago by Catherine Iyoha-Idiong.

It's not clear what sparked the sudden surge in support for the old petition.

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A Wednesday update to the petition - called 'The View on ABC please replace Meghan McCain with Ana Navarro or bring Jedidiah Bila back' - has garnered just over 2,300 signatures

The petition is close to 2,400 signatures

'Anyone who like me has watched The View for years and has seen the sourness and immaturity that Meghan has brought to the show doesn't need much persuasion,' the petition reads.

'Let's get her OFF our favorite morning show and back to Faux News where she can safely keep discussing Obama possibly faking tears with onions after little children were murdered at school.'

People commenting on the petition call McCain 'disrespectful' and say that her hiring was the 'worst decision' that the talk show has made.

The petition calls for Ana Navarro or Jedidiah Bila to take McCain's place on the panel of women.

Navarro, a Republican strategist who has worked for both John McCain and Jon Huntsman Jr - who both have daughters on the panel - has become more and more popular with the show's audience since she first appeared on 'The View' in 2015.

McCain - who joined the talk show in 2017 - has had intense battles with both her liberal co-hosts and with guests visiting the show

The petition calls for Ana Navarro or Jedidiah Bila to take McCain's place on the panel of women

Bila, another conservative voice on the panel, appeared on 'The View' in 2016 but left after a little more than a year. She did appear as a guest on the show in 2018.

McCain - who joined the talk show in 2017 - has had intense battles with both her liberal co-hosts and with guests visiting the show.

She infamously stormed off the set of the morning talk show in September after getting into a heated debate with Ana Navarro over the Trump whistleblower.

Last month, Whoopi Goldberg asked her co-host to 'please stop talking' when McCain refused to let other people speak when discussing the impeachment inquiry.

Goldberg would later explain that things were copacetic between the two.

McCain even notably had words for Democratic Presidential nominee hopeful, Elizabeth Warren, when discussing why the politician would not appear on Fox News.

A petition to get Meghan McCain removed from “The View” that was started nearly two years ago has had a recent spike in signatures, hitting a total of more than 2,000 supporters as of Wednesday morning.

The petition’s author wants ABC to replace McCain with either Ana Navarro, a former aide to Jeb Bush and John McCain (Meghan McCain's late father), or Jedidiah Bila, a former "Fox & Friends" weekend host who later became a co-host of "The View" until leaving the program in 2017.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG, MEGHAN MCCAIN EXPLAIN NASTY 'VIEW' SPAT: 'WE ARE ALL PASSIONATE WOMEN'

Some of the petition’s supporters say McCain has been “disrespectful,” a “loud mouth” and “petulant" on the program.

McCain joined the morning talk show in 2017 and has had several on-air blowups with her more liberal co-hosts.

During an argument over impeachment last month, co-host Whoopi Goldberg told McCain to “stop talking.”

Goldberg later explained that things sometimes get “heated” on the show and that all of the co-hosts are “passionate.”

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McCain echoed that the women “fight like we’re family.”

American Girl is ringing in the new year by unveiling its first hearing impaired doll and 2020 Girl of the Year.

The popular doll line, owned by Mattel, introduced Joss Kendrick, with the help of Olympic surfing hopeful Caroline Marks.

Joss is a "a fierce athlete born with hearing loss and a passion for surfing and competitive cheer," the company said in a news release . Her story is based her hometown of Huntington Beach, California.

The doll has brown hair and brown eyes and comes with a removable hearing aid.

"American Girl has a rich legacy of creating timeless characters who encourage girls to reach for new heights and discover who they're meant to be," said Jamie Cygielman, general manager of American Girl.

"Working with Olympic hopeful surfer Caroline Marks adds real-world inspiration about what can happen when you go 'all in' on your dreams."

In addition to the doll release, American Girl is partnering with the Hearing Loss Association of America to raise awareness and collect donations. The company also plans to donate $25,000 to the organization and support its annual walk. Starting January 1, it will also take donations for the HLAA in American Girl retail stores.

Joss is available online starting Tuesday and in stores starting Wednesday.

Whangape horse rider Selena Anderson walked away a big winner on Tuesday after a successful outing on horse Barbie at the annual Pawarenga united marae sports day.

Anderson, 25, started the day in impeccable form, winning her first three races (maiden, Emma Hetaraka women's memorial, Dollar Leef and Harold Leef memorial) before she took out the Haimona Pirini and Hone Tamati cross country race in the last race of the day.

Whangape rider Selena Anderson, 25, shoots ahead of the pack in the first race of the Pawarenga sports day on Tuesday. Photo / Adam Pearse

The annual sports event, which attracted about 1500 people, aimed to raise funds for three North Hokianga marae settlements - Mōrehu, Ohaki and Taiao.

As well as horse races along the beach, the day's activities included wood chopping, a volleyball tournament, Iron Man and Iron Woman races, tug 'o war and kids' running races.

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An extensive story on the event's relevance to the region will appear in Saturday's Northern Advocate.

Dee Guest, 20, (right) from Pawarenga gets off to a fast start on her horse Ryda in the Emma Hetaraka memorial women's race and finishes second. Photo / Adam Pearse

Chad Scrivener swings around the barrel to record the fastest time of 20.07 seconds in the barrel race. Photo / Adam Pearse

Races organiser George Proctor, 54, showed his class with a skilful and entertaining effort in the Stock Whip race. Photo / Adam Pearse

Clayton Semenoff tries to pick up speed around the barrel. Photo / Adam Pearse

Rider Jade Parks (left) keeps ahead of Theo Scrivener. Photo / Adam Pearse

Milton Leef, 41, from Mitimiti sends blocks of wood flying as he swings his axe in the Mat Peri memorial championship wood chopping event where he finished third. Photo / Adam Pearse

Maryanne Moa, 21, from Pawarenga sends over a lethal serve on the volleyball court. Photo / Adam Pearse

TK Paparoa, 26, from Motuti climbs high to tip the ball back over the volleyball net. Photo / Adam Pearse

From left: Tania Jacobs, Waiora White, Kelly Hemi and Helen Tipene get into the spirit of the day. Photo / Adam Pearse

Khaylin Pio-Fu, 8, tries to keep control of his vehicle. Photo / Adam Pearse

From left: Troy Monga, Marylee Tuhimata and Tyler Ely-Tuhimata looking fresh in their new Pawarenga sports day merchandise. Photo / Adam Pearse

Beau Waipouri, 15, (left) saddles up for a day of racing on his horse Shortcut, alongside Ronan Ratu, 20, (right) and horse Dinky. Photo / Adam Pearse

Panguru's Stella Leef, 11, (left) and Mana Wijohn, 11, chill out by the horses. Photo / Adam Pearse

Competitors rush off at the start of the Iron Girl race. Photo / Adam Pearse

Tini Herbert (in blue) uses all his strength in the tug-o-war on behalf of the Pawarenga team. Photo / Adam Pearse

Paramount Pictures has revealed the first full-length trailer for A Quiet Place 2. The studio had previously revealed a brief teaser that offered a tiny glimpse of what's to come in the sequel to 2018's inventive horror hit. This, however, offers a much more thorough look at what the studio has cooked up, with most of the core cast returning to once again face down the horrors of this post-apocalyptic, silent wasteland. But the horrors aren't limited to deadly, sound-seeking monsters this time around.

The initial A Quite Place 2 teaser trailer picked up following the events of the first movie. John Krasinski's character gave his life to protect his children, ultimately making it so they could survive with their mother. The family managed to figure out a way to kill the beasts that have invaded Earth, which gave them a leg-up in the survival game. However, as we can see, they are having to step off the sandy path that had kept them safe for so long and will be forced to head into uncharted territory. Emily Blunt is back as the head of the Abbott family, with Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe also returning as her children.

John Krasinksi, who directed and co-wrote the original, returns to the director's chair this time around. Krasinski also wrote the screenplay. Original writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods stepped back to focus on original endeavors but remain involved in a more limited capacity. New cast members include Cillian Murphy (Batman Begins) and Djimon Hounsou (Captain Marvel). Details regarding any characters were being kept under tight lock and key during production.

A Quiet Place 2 picks up following the deadly events of the first movie. The Abbott family is forced to face the terrors of the outside world as they continue their fight for survival in silence. As they hesitantly journey into the unknown, they quickly realize that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path. Allyson Seeger, Joann Perritano and Aaron Janus, Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller serve as producers.

Released in 2018, A Quiet Place went on to become one of the most unexpected hits of the year. The movie was embraced widely by critics, currently boasting a 95 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences agreed and moviegoers turned up in droves to see it. The movie, working from a relatively modest budget of just $17 million, went on to gross $340 million at the global box office. With that, a sequel became a top priority for the studio. The question is, was this a lightning in a bottle situation? Or can they manage to strike gold twice? A Quiet Place 2 is set to hit theaters on March 20, 2020, from Paramount Pictures. Be sure to check out the new trailer for yourself.

Four wounded in seven New Year's Day shootings

No suspects have been arrested and the names of the victims were not immediately released

Police are investigating seven shootings that left four people wounded on New Year's Day in Portland. More than 90 cartridge casing were recovered.

The names and conditions of the victims were not immediately released. No one was immediately arrested, and no suspect information was released, either.

According to police, the first shooting occurred near the 4000 block of Southwest Macadam Avenue around 12:08 a.m. on Jan. 1. Investigators recovered and processed more than 40 cartridge casings at the scene. There were no reported injuries and no arrests have been made.

The second shooting occurred near the 12400 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard around 12:21 a.m. One victim suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to an area hospital. The victim sustained serious injuries, but is expected to survive. No arrests have been made.

The third shooting was a walk-in victim at an area hospital. The location and circumstances of this shooting remain under investigation.

The fourth shooting occurred near the 600 block of Southeast Alder Street around 1:37 a.m. Investigators located evidence of gunfire at the scene. There were no reported injuries and no arrests have been made.

The fifth shooting occurred near the 11200 block of Southeast Division Street around 3:13 a.m. Investigators recovered more than 40 cartridge casings from multiple firearms. There were no reported injuries and no arrests have been made.

The sixth shooting occurred near the 3500 block of Northeast 148th Avenue around 3:59 a.m. Two victims suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to an area hospital. The victim's conditions are not being released at this time.

The seventh shooting occurred near the 9600 block of North Woolsey Avenue around 5:32 a.m. Investigators located evidence of gunfire at the scene. There were no reported injuries and no arrests have been made.

There is no indication that these shootings are connected. Gang Violence Reduction Team detectives are following up on all of them and are asking for the public's help. If anyone witnessed any of these events, or has other knowledge about what happened, they're asked to call or e-mail. If anyone has video surveillance in these areas that might have captured what happened or any suspect information, they're asked to check their recordings. If they find anything that could help, please save it and share it with investigators.

Anyone with information about these, or any, gun crimes in the City of Portland is encouraged to provide information to the Portland Police Bureau's Tactical Operations Division at 503-823-4106 or email information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

DETROIT – Detroit police are searching for a missing 12-year-old boy who left home without permission on New Year’s Eve.

Eric Gayles Jr. was last seen around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 2300 block of Prince Hall Drive, police said.

He took out the trash, left home without permission and hasn’t returned, according to authorities.

Officials describe Eric as 5 feet, 2 inches tall and 120 pounds. He has black hair and was last seen wearing a black jacket, white pants and black shoes, police said.

Eric is in good physical and mental condition, officials said.

Anyone who has seen Eric or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call Detroit police at 313-596-5740 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP to remain anonymous.

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Kim Jong-un says the world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by North Korea in the near future - KCNA via KNS

North Korea is to abandon its moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests, Kim Jong-un has announced.

Addressing a meeting with party officials, the North Korean leader also said the country would unveil a new strategic weapon in the new future, the country's official KCNA news agency reported on Wednesday.

"There is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer," he is quoted as saying.

"The world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future."

North Korea has not tested a long-range missile or nuclear warhead since 2017 under a self-imposed moratorium.

But in recent weeks the North Koreans had been more bellicose as tensions escalated on the Korean peninsula.

Kim had signalled that Pyongyang was preparing a "gift" which would be unveiled if the US failed to make significant concessions in negotiations by the end of the year.

He paved the way for the move at a meeting of 300 top officials.

The North Koreans had been demanding the lifting of sanctions as a price for stepping up the pace of peace talks which appeared to have stalled.

His announcement will be a blow for Donald Trump who thought personal diplomacy could end decades of hostility.

A series of summits raised hopes that the US president's unconventional diplomatic approach could bear fruit.

Mr Trump, who had derided Kim as "Rocket Man", struck a different note over the summer praising the leader of the rogue regime.

The US president on Tuesday said he believed Kim would stick to his commitments on denuclearisation.

"We did sign a contract, talking about denuclearisation. That was the number one sentence, 'denuclearisation', that was done in Singapore. I think he's a man of his word," a tuxedo-wearing Mr Trump told reporters before heading into New Year festivities at his holiday retreat in Florida.

In Florida Mr Trump repeated his previous comments that he and Kim "like" each other and have a very good relationship.

"He is representing his country. We will do what we have to do," he added.

Hopes had been raised further when the two men met at the demilitarised zone (DMZ) which divides North and South Korea at the end of June.

The US president maintained that the suspension of nuclear tests was evidence that his approach had succeeded where others had failed and that Kim could be persuaded to give up his nuclear arsenal.

In Washington officials had sought to play down the threat from Pyongyang, despite the increasingly aggressive noises coming from North Korea.

But in recent months relations have worsened and the North Korean leader struck a harsh note at the meeting of the ruling Workers Party.

"The US is raising demands contrary to the fundamental interests of our state and is adopting brigandish attitude," KCNA cited him as saying.

"We can never sell our dignity," he added, saying Pyongyang would "shift to a shocking actual action to make (the US) pay for the pains sustained by our people".

Kim added that "if the US persists in its hostile policy toward the DPRK, there will never be the denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula and the DPRK will steadily develop necessary and prerequisite strategic weapons for the security of the state until the U.S. rolls back its hostile policy," according to the agency.

Kim and President Donald Trump have met three times since June 2018, but negotiations have faltered since the collapse of their second summit last February in Vietnam.

The North announced in December that it performed two "crucial" tests at its long-range rocket launch site that would further strengthen its nuclear deterrent, prompting speculation that it was developing an ICBM or planning a satellite launch that would provide an opportunity to advance its missile technologies.

North Korea also last year ended a 17-month pause in ballistic activity by testing a slew of solid-fuel weapons that potentially expanded its capabilities to strike targets in South Korea and Japan, including U.S. military bases there.

Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said that his country would soon introduce a "new strategic weapon" in the near future, adding that he sees little reason to stick to his country`s suspension of nuclear and long-range missile tests, he had put in place during talks with the US.

Talks between North Korea and the US have stalled with Washington refusing to lift sanctions until Pyongyang fully abandons its nuclear programme. The North conducted several smaller weapons tests late in 2019, in what was seen as an attempt to pressure the US into making concessions, the BBC reported.

Speaking at a party meeting here on Wednesday, Kim said North was no longer bound by the self-declared moratorium, as the US continued joint military drills with South and had stepped up their sanctions.

"Under such condition, there is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer, the commitment to which there is no opposite party, and this is chilling our efforts for worldwide nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation," state news agency KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

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He also threatened that "the world will witness a new strategic weapon" by the North "in the near future", while giving no further details.

In response to the North Korean leader`s latest threats, US President Donald Trump told reporters that he and Kim "did sign a contract, talking about denuclearisation".

"I think he`s a man of his word," he said, as he headed into New Year events in Florida.

US Foreign Secretary Mike Pompeo said he hoped the North would choose peace over war.

Kim andTrump held face-to-face talks in Singapore in June 2018, and in Vietnam in February 2019, aimed at denuclearisation.

The two leaders also held an "impromptu" meeting at the demilitarised zone (DMZ) that separates North and South Korea in June.

Pope Francis apologised January 1 for his widely-viewed slap of a woman who had grabbed his hand as he greeted Catholic faithful on New Year's Eve. The image of Francis slapping his way free from the clutches of the admirer was an instant hit on social media.

A personal apology followed.

"We lose patience many times," Francis confessed.

"It happens to me too. I apologise for the bad example given yesterday," the head of the Catholic church said before celebrating Mass at the Vatican.

Twitter enthusiasts commented with abandon on the pontiff's prompt riposte to the woman.

Francis had greeted children before the Nativity scene on Saint Peter's square and was turning away when the woman who had crossed herself then cried out something, pulled on his hand and almost caused him to fall.

The 83-year-old pope grimaced before managing to break free by slapping her hand twice.

He continued his tour, walking with some difficulty while maintaining a slightly greater distance from visitors, and gradually relaxed again as he came into contact with other children.

Twitter comments were mostly supportive of the pontiff's instinctive reaction.

"HE IS HUMAN.. Been (sic) a Pope doesn't make you immune to Pain or avoid Reaction to pain," one typical comment read.

In his first Mass of the New Year, the pontiff later denounced "all violence against women" as "a profanation of God, born of a woman."

Francis also said women were "the source of life" but deplored that they were constantly "offended, beaten, abused and forced into prostitution" and forced to "supress the life they carry within" them.

He emphasised that the "rebirth of humanity began with a woman," and bemoaned that women's bodies were "sacrificed on the profane altars of advertising, profit, pornography.

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(FOX NEWS) - It's not your typical college New Year's party — more than 65,000 young Christians gathering in an Atlanta stadium to kick off a new decade with worship, prayer and Bible teaching.

While a Pew Research Center survey shows the "nones" or religiously non-affiliated Americans are increasing, with a decline in Christians over the last decade, the sold-out conference Passion 2020 seems to be outright defying that.

Over the next three days, thousands of millennials and Gen Zers – along with their church and campus leaders – will be filling up the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with Passion founders Louie and Shelley Giglio as hosts and music by the Passion Band.

"Passion is more than a conference. More than an event. More than a feeling," the website states. "Passion is you and me saying goodbye to lesser things and saying yes to Jesus, the One whose name is above every name."

Students (ages 18 to 25) will hear from guest speakers like Tim Tebow, Ravi Zacharias, Christine Caine, Levi Lusko, John Piper and Sadie Robertson, with worship led by Hillsong United, Lecrae, Kari Jobe, and Cody Carnes, Elevation Music, Crowder, Trip Lee, Andy Mineo, Social Club Misfits, Tedashii and Sean Curran.

Each year, students have joined together to raise money for different initiatives, including the END IT Movement, which launched at Passion 2013 and has raised $8.3 million to fight modern-day slavery. In addition to that, students will raise money for Share Light, a campaign to see the Bible scriptures translated into the 6,000 known languages during this generation’s lifetime.

Make sure to LIKE FOX 5 Chief Meteorologist David Chandley on Facebook and FOLLOW him on Twitter for more updates on Passion 2020.

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To symbolize that, a flame was lit in Jerusalem, the birthplace of Christianity, and carried to the stadium where the students are encouraged to share the light with the world.

“We're not simply keepers of the light, but we are carriers of the light of Jesus to the world,” Louie Giglio, Passion founder, said. "One of the practical ways that we can carry that light to the world is to participate in the goal of Scripture translation."

Last year, almost 40,000 students gathered at Passion 2019 and were able to raise more than $400,000 to translate the Bible for deaf people across the world.

MORE FROM FOX NEWS

There is much angst among people of conscience over the fate of Freedom Flotilla II, but by effectively scuttling it, Israel is really just hammering more nails in its own coffin, says Eric Walberg The efforts by Israel to prevent Freedom Flotilla II from leaving Greece have been largely successful. Of the original 10 ships, only the French ship Al-Karama (dignity) with 10 activists including French politicians, which sailed from the French Corsica two weeks ago, and the sabotaged-and-repaired Juliano (named after Juliano Meir Khamis, the murdered Israeli director of Jenin’s Freedom Theatre), were able to elude the Greek coastguard as of early this week.

Ahmad Karzai: From dishwasher to drug kingpin Written by Eric Walberg Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s younger half-brother, Ahmad Wali Karzai, was killed in Kandahar on 12 July during a gathering in his house, according to Kandahar’s Canadian Governor Tooryali Wesa. He was shot in the head and chest with a AK-47 fired by Sardar Mohammad, a former bodyguard to another Karzai brother Qayyoum. Read more... Egypt vs IMF: Time to default? Written by Eric Walberg The financial flip-flop of Egypt’s revolutionary government, first requesting and then declining a $3 billion dollar IMF loan, highlights Egypt’s hard choices at this point in the revolution, but is a good sign, says Eric Walberg It is no secret that Egypt has put all its faith in the US and Western international institutions since the days of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, contracting a huge foreign debt, a process that was increasingly corrupt, despite being careful watched over by those very agencies. This debt is financed by foreign banks, and must be repaid in dollars -- with interest. If much of the money they create and then “lend” is siphoned off into Swiss bank accounts, that is Egypt’s problem. No one is trying to charge the people who gave Mubarak or his henchmen their money and then let them re-deposit it with them, but it takes two to tango. Read more... BDS update: Fighting apartheid on land and sea Written by Eric Walberg As the second Freedom Flotilla packs its humanitarian aid and prepares to brave the wrath of the Israeli navy, boycott divestment and sanctions (BDS) activities continue on the homefront, notes Eric Walberg Earlier this month, 100 activists from 9 countries gathered in Montpellier, France for the first European Forum Against Agrexco to strengthen the boycott campaign against Israel’s largest fresh produce exporter, which exports under the brand Carmel primarily to European markets. Up to 70 per cent of the fruit and vegetables grown in the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank are marketed by Agrexco, making it a prime strategic target for BDS. Read more... Turkey and the Arab spring: Learning to walk again  Written by Eric Walberg Turkey’s vibrant democracy is an inspiration to Arab countries throwing off their autocratic yoke and their Western patrons, says Eric Walberg Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) renewed mandate puts the electoral seal of approval on its shift towards the Middle East, even as its importance to Europe increases. Now Turkey itself is being courted by both NATO countries and, increasingly, the Arab world. Read more...

The purported misuse of client trust by Karvy, a stockbroking firm, to raise funds for itself has shown all players in the entire chain – from stock exchanges to depositories and banks – in a bad light.

Karvy was allegedly pledging the shares of clients using the power of attorney given by them to raise money for itself. Post the discovery of the alleged fraud, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the depositories and exchanges have placed a ban on Karvy.

Their reactionary action has managed to somewhat stem the agony of the firm’s retail clients. But still, the whole episode has raised several questions on the failure of these institutions to spot the malaise early. How did Karvy manage to hoodwink all of them to carry on a clandestine activity?

Not surprisingly, these shenanigans have raised the pitch for refreshing the regulatory framework, especially relating to stockbroking and depository participants.

Much water has flown under the bridge since India’s regional stock exchanges passed into the pages of history and the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchanges became the de facto kings. Member-brokers of the regional exchanges have either turned members of the NSE and BSE or have become sub-brokers or authorised persons of existing members.

Watch: Karvy Broking Scandal Explained: Unethical Pledging of Client Securities?

The broking business also has undergone a major metamorphosis. Today, it has problems aplenty. An uncertain market, discount practices, online trading and a maze of rules and the like have all posed a challenge of their own. In the bargain, it has given rise to avoidable practices. All these have combined to put the present regulatory framework at a risk.

The current framework, it is argued, is under increasing stress, what with one too many players in the field. Given this, a view is gaining increasing ground that the existing regulatory and supervision mechanism needs to be revisited sooner than later. If consolidation is seen as the cure for many ills in the banking industry, why not this course be adopted in the broking arena as well? After all, consolidation gives a player the required bandwidth to absorb rising costs in an increasingly compliance-driven era.

The Karvy case indeed reiterates the need to conduct a ‘fit and proper test’ on all broking houses. Like non-banking finance companies, brokerage houses too be categorised based on their membership with exchanges and ranked according to their service offer. If the discounting in the automobile industry is bad, nil brokerage in the stock business too is undesirable and must be banned as it has the potential to trigger not-so-healthy practices.

Since the Karvy episode is allegedly caused by promoter-induced shenanigans, it is time the responsibility was fixed by forcing them to have a minimum holding in the company. At the same time, the management and owners should be kept at a distance by having a majority of directors who aren’t loyal to the promoters on the board of the company. Simultaneously, adequate financial barrier in terms of a minimum net worth could help keep the non-serious players out of the field. From a client-protection angle, it will be well served if only public limited companies are allowed in the business.

While enforcing strict restrictions on off-market deals, the authorities will do well to encourage via suitable mechanism to force institutional business through the members of the stock exchanges. Market is extremely dynamic. And, it requires a proactive regulatory and supervisory regime. Karvy has indeed exposed an inadequate and under-equipped system.

Nearly every day I report to work, I have no idea what’s going to happen. Sometimes it’s boring. Other times, it turns into a day for the ages.

Thankfully, more than enough days of brilliance, poignance and humor emerged to justify the existence of this piece: My top Datelines of the Decade.

10. Baltimore Hyatt Regency, Aug. 14, 2014. Bud Selig’s final big play, in over 22 years as commissioner, went as many that preceded it: Messy, yet ultimately successful. Bud, a spry 80 years old by the time he convened his owners to this resilient city’s Inner Harbor, badly wanted his second-in-command Rob Manfred to succeed him. Manfred entered the meetings with majority support, yet a vote of this gravity required 75 percent of the 30 owners to be in agreement, and Selig, for all his lobbying, schmoozing and horse-trading, did not start the day with the necessary 23 votes for Manfred, as his old pal Jerry Reinsdorf of the White Sox led the effort for Red Sox bigwig Tom Werner to get the gig. It took six votes over about seven hours — and the image of a frustrated Selig executing his trademark shrug to amused reporters as he entered a glass elevator amidst the craziness — to finally get to the finish line with Manfred, who hasn’t been shy about trying to speed up the game with serious changes to the on-field product. Whereas this change in power carried more than a tinge of comedy, only sadness loomed on Nov. 24, 2013, when a funeral was held for beloved Players Association executive director Michael Weiner. Brain cancer took Weiner at age 51, and tensions between the union (now led by Tony Clark) and Major League Baseball have intensified dramatically since, calling into question whether a work stoppage can be avoided when this collective bargaining agreement expires in 2021.

9. Yankee Stadium, Oct. 17, 2017. These Yankees, having missed the playoffs in three of the prior four seasons (and advancing only as far as a lost American League wild-card game in the other one, 2015), were supposed to use 2017 to grow their Baby Bombers. If they qualified for the postseason, then it would be a bonus. What a bonus it turned out to be. After outlasting the Twins (of course) in the wild-card game, they mounted a remarkable comeback to defeat the top-seeded Indians in the AL Division Series, Didi Gregorius having himself a clinching Game 5 to remember, and then they further planted their flag with a memorable seven-game ALCS loss to the Astros. Game 4 of that series, in The Bronx, saw the home team, down 4-0, score two runs in the seventh and four runs in the eighth. When Gary Sanchez slammed a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth, the new Stadium roared as we hadn’t seen or heard it to that point. The crowd loved this home-built group. Alas, this moment doesn’t rank higher because the Yankees — and, notably, Sanchez — have yet to build sufficiently on that moment, as baseball’s most decorated franchise clocked the entire decade without sniffing a Fall Classic.

8. Busch Stadium, Oct. 27, 2011. Any World Series contest that evokes both 1986 Game 6 and 1991 Game 6 has plenty going for it, and so it was on this chilly Midwestern night. Just like ‘86 Game 6 at Shea Stadium, the Cardinals found themselves down to their last strike — twice. Just like those Mets, St. Louis never said die, with David Freese slamming a game-tying, two-run, two-out triple off Rangers closer Neftali Feliz in the ninth and Lance Berkman drilling a game-tying, one-run, two-out single off Scott Feldman in the 10th. And when Freese slammed a walk-off homer against Mark Lowe in the 11th, Fox broadcaster Joe Buck declared, “We will see you tomorrow night” for a necessary Game 7, just as Buck’s legendary father Jack had said 20 years prior when Kirby Puckett’s walk-off blast against the Braves kept the Twins alive. Awesome stuff. This, too, would rank even higher if the Cardinals’ victory in the finale hadn’t felt so anticlimactic, or if — New York bias alert — the story resonated more locally.

7. London Stadium, June 29, 2019. Yes, the sluggers’ duel between the Yankees and Red Sox was beyond exhausting, and sure, there were some logistical obstacles to overcome. But come on, folks. Yankees-Red Sox in London? I don’t understand how you could be there, as I was fortunate enough to be, and not be inspired by the crowd’s enthusiasm, be they natives, expats or tourists. Even if this turns out to be more of a historical oddity than the start of something huge — the Cubs and Cardinals will face each other in London next season, with nothing set beyond that — it was something special and memorable to take the game into Europe

6. Kauffman Stadium, Oct. 29, 2014. You could have earned some serious money if, a decade ago, you had wagered that the Giants would win the most titles of anyone from 2010 through 2019. What a spectacular if odd run — three championships in five years, missing the playoffs altogether the other two years — for these guys, and it culminated with Game 7 of the ‘14 Series against the Royals, who advanced this far thanks in large part to the best wild-card game since the do-or-die contest’s inception. Kansas City fell just short — 90 feet, to be precise — thanks to Madison Bumgarner’s five shutout innings of relief just three days after he authored a complete-game masterpiece. It was an all-time performance by the lefty Bumgarner, who put together a 2.11 ERA for the decade in 16 postseason games as he built a brand as baseball’s most clutch pitcher of his era.

5. Citi Field, Sept. 29, 2018. The baseball schedule/calendar gods kept me away from Mariano Rivera’s and Derek Jeter’s last performances at Yankee Stadium, just in case you’re wondering why they didn’t make the cut. On this night in Queens, however, I witnessed something quite different: A salute to David Wright, but also a lamentation of what could have been. The Mets captain started his first game in over two years, his career and Hall of Fame trajectory sadly cut short by spinal stenosis. Medically, Wright shouldn’t have been out there at all. Emotionally? He needed to log one more shift, even a half-shift, at third base. And the fans, who filled up the ballpark for what was otherwise a meaningless, final-weekend game against the Marlins, acted as though they needed it, too, showering Wright with love and appreciation for all he had done for the franchise.

4. Fenway Park, Aug. 18, 2013. If the tabloid newspaper, relying on bombastic front and back pages for sales, didn’t exist prior to 2004, someone would have invented them at that point — just to keep up with Alex Rodriguez’s hijinks and accomplishments, often in that order. Bless A-Rod, who sent me on the assignment of a lifetime in ‘13 when he went to war with MLB and the Yankees — over a 211-game suspension for using illegal performance-enhancing drugs and obstructing baseball’s investigation — while playing major-league baseball for the Yankees. The saga featured so much drama both on and off the field, and the most memorable chapter featured both, at Fenway naturally. Before the game, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman torched A-Rod in a conversation with reporters, saying that he wouldn’t say anything beyond hello and goodbye to his third baseman due to the “litigious environment.” That was a huge story…until the game started, and Red Sox starting pitcher Ryan Dempster decided that he was going to personally discipline A-Rod by drilling him — at which point the Yankees, who had been exhausted by their teammate’s drama, came to his defense. For good measure, naturally, A-Rod later went deep off Dempster. That A-Rod is now a respected national baseball broadcaster engaged to Jennifer Lopez, well, again…the man is made for tabloids.

3. Dodger Stadium, Oct. 15, 2015. Twenty teams advanced to the World Series this decade, and only one spot was claimed by a New York representative. What a run by those 2015 Mets, from the slow start to the July trades to Wilmer Flores’ walk-off homer two days after he thought he was traded to their improbable sweep of the Cubs in the National League Championship Series. That sweep, you could argue rather easily, emanated naturally from the Mets’ best game of the season, their thrilling, 3-2 elimination of the Dodgers in NLDS Game 5 at Chavez Ravine. What a game, from Daniel Murphy’s continuing heroics to Jacob deGrom’s gutty, six-inning effort to Terry Collins’ turning to Noah Syndergaard for the seventh and then Jeurys Familia for a six-out save. If you couldn’t get into this one, then you’re probably not meant for baseball. And while the Mets serve as anything besides a model of consistency, that makes their peaks all the more exciting, doesn’t it?

2. Citizens Bank Park, May 1, 2011. Sunday night baseball, early in the season, and the Mets, at 11-16, were heading nowhere besides a Madoff-fueled rebuild whereas the Phillies, at 17-9, were en route to their fourth straight NL East title. None of that mattered late in the game when some rather non-baseball news broke: A team of U.S. special forces had tracked down and killed Osama bin Laden. So as Murphy hit against Ryan Madson in the top of the ninth inning, chants of “USA! USA!” filled the ballpark. It was a collective, emotional flashback to the horrors of 9-11 nearly a decade earlier, an impromptu opportunity to mourn again those we lost that day and feel at least some measure of justice. What a powerful moment to share among tens of thousands of people.

1. Progressive Field, Nov. 2, 2016. The best World Series are those won by teams to end long droughts, or to capture a title for the very first time. This decade brought us the Giants’ first parades since 1954 (and their first-ever since moving to San Francisco in 1958), the Astros’ initial championship in 56 years of existence and the Nationals’ first triumph in 51 years as a franchise as well as Washington’s first such celebration since 1924. All, of course, pale in comparison to the Cubs, who played 107 consecutive seasons without winning it all until it finally ended on this unseasonably warm night in Cleveland. It fit the woebegone narrative that the Cubs needed to climb out of a 3-1 hole, winning the last two on the road, and that their closer for hire Aroldis Chapman, exhausted, gave up a game-tying, two-run homer to Rajai Davis in the eighth inning. The rain delay following the ninth inning added a supernatural element. And when the Cubs actually prevailed in the 10th inning, in front of a crowd that clearly featured more Cubs fans than Indians fans despite the location, it sparked a celebration for the ages. Think of all the Cubs fans who lived long without experiencing this. Surely, many of their descendants did. The Indians, meanwhile, move into the 2020s as baseball’s longest-suffering franchise, championship-free since 1948.

Let’s catch up on Pop Quiz questions:

From Soumitra Eachempati of Manhattan: Name the former Dodgers first baseman-outfielder who appears as himself in a 1970 episode of “The Brady Bunch.”

From Michael Gee of New York City: Now in the Hall of Fame, this pitcher appeared as himself in a 1968 episode of “Gentle Ben.” Name him.

If you have a young adult who’s interested in baseball, I highly recommend “A High Five for Glenn Burke” by Phil Bildner, a terrific fictional story invoking the outfielder from the 1970s who wound up being a trailblazer. Actually, it’s a good book for old adults, too.

Your Pop Quiz answers:

Wes Parker.

Bob Gibson

If you have a tidbit that connects baseball with popular culture, please send it to me at kdavidoff@nypost.com.

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Question:
Chelsea were held to a 1-1 draw by Brighton and Hove Albion on New Year's Day, after Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored a breathtaking equaliser late on for the hosts.

The Blues took the lead inside ten minutes, when Tammy Abraham's blocked shot fell to the feet of César Azpilicueta, who tapped home from close range. Leandro Trossard forced an excellent diving save from Kepa towards the end of the first half, as Frank Lampard's men went into the break ahead.

Brighton were the better team in the second half, and deservedly equalised with just under ten minutes left to play, when substitute Jahanbakhsh struck a stunning overhead kick to bag the Seagulls' first goal of the new decade.

The hosts almost snatched all three points at the death, but Kepa made an excellent stop to keep the scores level, and the spoils were shared.

Brighton

Key Talking Point

There's only one moment we can really talk about here. Jahanbakhsh has struggled to adapt to life in England since his heavily-anticipated move, and he has failed to hit the heights expected of him. So having waited 18 months to score his opening goal for Brighton, he then scored a second against Chelsea. And what a second it was.

As the ball dropped from the sky, there was a moment where time stood still, and the whole world watched and waited. And then, delirium.

Jahanbakhsh flung his legs into the air, and with a moment of sheer magic, he delivered the perfect overhead kick, wrong-footing Kepa and giving Brighton a vital point against Chelsea . Absolute class.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Ryan (7); Montoya (7), Webster (7), Dunk (8), Burn (N/A); Bissouma (7), Pröpper (7); Trossard (9), Mooy (7), Alzate (7); Maupay (7)

Substitutes: Bernardo (7), Connolly (6), Jahanbakhsh (8)

STAR MAN - This guy is a real live-wire. Leandro Trossard struggled in the initial stages of the match - as did every Brighton player. But the change of shape really benefitted the Belgian winger, and he began to cause Chelsea's defence all sorts of problems.

The 25-year-old drifted inside, threading cute balls through to his teammates or twisting and tormenting his marker at every given opportunity. Trossard forced an excellent save from Kepa in the first half, and he grew into the game as his team upped the ante.

Although he may not be the most consistent player in the Premier League, Trossard is certainly one of the most exciting on his day, and he epitomises the change in style which Brighton are attempting to perfect.

Chelsea

Key Talking Point

Chelsea's superb away form has been much-talked about of late, but the Blues struggled in their 1-1 draw with Brighton. Lampard initially set his side up expertly, and their pressing game was nothing short of extraordinary. The hosts couldn't get out of their own half for large periods, and the Seagulls were forced into making some horrendous individual errors at the back by their rampant visitors.

But when opposing manager Potter re-jigged his Brighton side, Lampard had very little to offer and the Seagulls grew throughout the match to pick up a superb point. The Chelsea boss will ask questions of his team after this result, having seemed incapable of reacting to the switches made, and their naivety shone through again.

Youthful, but chaotic at times.

Player Ratings

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A large gathering of Muslim and Christian Clerics, Wednesday, came together to pray for the First Family and Lagos State as a whole.

The gathering, made up of people from various denominations, drawn from various parts of the State was put together in order to commit the State into the hands of the Almighty as the State begins a New Year.

Prayers were led by the two Special Advisers to the Governor on Religious Matters at the State House, Marina.

Speaking on the significance of the occasion, the S.A on Religious Matters (Muslim), Alhaji Jebe Ahmed, said the State Government decided to utilize the period of the year to commit the progress of the State to the hands of God, expressing optimism that with Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in the saddle as helmsman, the state is certain to grow in leaps and bounds.

According to Ahmed: “We are all gathered here today to ensure that we put the State in the hands of God. The presence of Allah is needed in running any administration. Everything starts and ends with God. The Governor has demonstrated that we must put God first in everything we do in our lives.

“The Governor was at the Mosque and he charged us to live in harmony, respect the rule of law and do what is needful at all times. Prayers were said for all residents of Lagos. Prayers were recited to God to guide the Governor and members of his Exco as they lead the State.”

Ahmed disclosed that the State government is working on several programmes that will speak to the THEMES agenda of the current administration, noting that the Government intends to boost the religious tolerance among Lagosians.

During the session that was tagged: ‘Prayer For The First Family, Lagos State’s clerics committed the Governor; the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Members of State Executive Council; the Judiciary; members of the House of Assembly and Lagos State in God’s hands.

In his remark, S.A Religious Matters (Christian), Very Reverend Bukola Adeleke, said they are working with the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Pharm (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, to ensure Lagosians respects other’s religious views.

“We are here today to pray for the first family in Lagos and of course, to commit the State into the hands of God. The Bible tells us that we must lay everything in God’s hands, which is why we are here for the sole purpose of praying for Lagos. We prayed for Mr. Governor and committed his activities and plans for Lagos State into God’s hands. We believe that God Almighty has answered our prayers.

“We have a lot of plans for religious tolerance in Lagos. We are working with Hon. Akinbile-Yusuf to ensure that Lagosians tolerate and respect the religious views of others. We want the peace we have been enjoying in Lagos to continue and the way to achieve that is to continuously respect other’s religion,” he said.

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An employer has sparked a furious backlash after she revealed the one "simple rule" she swears by when it comes to hiring people. Photo / 123RF

An employer has sparked a furious backlash after she revealed the one "simple rule" she swears by when it comes to hiring people. Photo / 123RF

Every year, we trawl through the archives and republish a few of the standout business stories from the last year. This is essentially a mix of the most popular, topical or insightful pieces published in 2019. Here's one that made the cut. This piece was first published on 8 April.

"If someone doesn't send a thankyou email, don't hire them."

This is the one rule Insider Inc's executive managing editor Jessica Liebman swears by when it comes to hiring potential employees — but it's sparked a storm of controversy.

Having interviewed hundreds of prospective workers, she penned an article arguing not sending a follow-up email is the "number one mistake" an interviewee can make.

"The truth is, the hiring process can uncover only so much," she wrote in Business Insider. "You're often basing your decision on a small sample of data that you collected during a few hours of speaking with them, sometimes not even in person."

She says hiring managers should always "expect a thankyou email", adding "you should never make an offer to someone who neglected to send one".

She says there's two reasons for this — one being it signals the person really wants the job, and the other being how someone presents in interviews may not translate to effectiveness in the role.

"While sending a thankyou note doesn't necessarily guarantee the person will be a good hire, it gives you the tiniest bit more data: The candidate is eager, organised, and well mannered enough to send the note.

"It shows resourcefulness, too, because the candidate often has to hunt down an email address the interviewer never gave them."

The piece sparked a furious backlash after Liebman shared it on Twitter, with many people suggesting it was an entitled approach to take to interviews.

My simple rule: don’t work anywhere that thinks having access to your talent is a bigger win for you than it is for them.

Companies that compete on talent recruit to persuade. Companies that view hiring as merely finding workers worry about thank you emails. — The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) April 6, 2019

This is an arbitrary bit of gatekeeping that is both culture- and generation-specific. In doing this you’re also gong to skew results to people who act and think like you, thereby decreasing intellectual diversity on the team. A thank you is classy, but not a disqualifier. — Scott Hanselman (@shanselman) April 6, 2019

You know taking a day off work, going someplace unfamiliar, then participating in ~8 hours of technical and personal interviews is exhausting, right? — Rebecca (Slatkin) Sloane (@RebeccaSlatkin) April 7, 2019

These employees will be creating value for your company, it’s you that should be thankful. No wonder people leave after few months, sounds like a toxic work environment where only the yay sayers are accepted — Marijam Didžgalvytė (@marijamdid) April 5, 2019

Many users also wondered whether Liebman sent thankyou emails to interviewees for taking the time to meet with her:

Have you been sending everyone who applies thank you notes too? Signalling goes both ways. — Nat (@unfortunatalie) April 7, 2019

But others agreed with her approach, saying sending thankyou emails is a professional and courteous thing to do.

It's professional courtesy to send a thank you email. Plenty of people with talent out there who still have manners. — Melissa Hope (@missyhopez) April 6, 2019

I agree with her on this. The level of effort that goes into screening and hiring a canidate is STRESSFUL, and to not even send a thank-you note or letter shows to me 1. You're inconsiderate, and 2. Your business etiquette is lacking. But most of all you're inconsiderate. — Atlanta’s Tech Emperor (@ThugDebugger) April 7, 2019

In 2012, Liebman wrote a similar article detailing her expectations for thankyou emails.

She said the interviewee should thank her for taking the time to talk with them, restate they wanted the job and add a quick plug about why they would be perfect for it.

She said if she didn't get an email like this, she would "assume you don't want the job" and "think you're disorganised and forgot about following up", adding "there is a much higher shot I'll forget about you".

News.com.au has contacted Liebman for comment.

RCMP have launched a criminal investigation after swastikas and "disturbing phrases" were discovered on an out building at a Jewish summer camp for children on Gabriola Island.

Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey said in a news release that the graffiti was found by a caretaker at Camp Miriam and reported to Gabriola RCMP on Dec. 19.

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Given the camp's secluded location, the vandalism could have occurred any time from the September long weekend to the date of discovery, RCMP say. Investigators are trying to narrow the time frame.

"RCMP take matters such as these very seriously," O'Donaghey said. "Local investigators have consulted with the B.C. RCMP Hate Crime Team as they continue the criminal investigation in an effort to identify the person or persons responsible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gabriola RCMP at 250-247-8333 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The word mindfulness is everywhere lately — people are being urged to become more mindful as a way to calm themselves and find insight in this busy, tech-driven world.

CBC News asked registered professional counsellor Mary Clements of Heartwork Wellness, and Jessica Strong, a UPEI psychology professor, to explain mindfulness and how people can try it for themselves.

Strong said the two key parts of mindfulness are being non-judgmental and being in the present moment.

"The best way it's been put to me is paying attention on purpose," said Clements, who has been a counsellor for 10 years specializing in personal development and growth, and emotional health and wellness.

"So, the more we learn about ourselves and pay attention to our emotions, our thoughts, our behaviours, then the more opportunity we have to respond to a place from our choosing, a place that is more aligned with our values and who we wish to be, versus our conditioning."

Although new businesses and apps are springing up around mindfulness, it is a concept that has been around for thousands of years, with roots in Buddhism.

Use the time you have

Clements said there are some misconceptions about what mindfulness is and how to achieve it — people don't need to spend an hour a day cross-legged sitting in a quiet place.

'It's actually really difficult to be mindful, because we live in this world where everything is just so busy all of the time,' says Prof. Jessica Strong. (Submitted by Jessica Strong)

"What research has shown and continues to show is that what really matters is consistent and regular practise, and even short bits of practise," she said.

Clements uses times in her day where she is stuck waiting — in the grocery line or at a traffic light. Other good times are when she is in the shower, falling asleep, waking up or transitioning between parts of her day — for instance, the end of the work day on the way home.

"Taking those opportunities to take a breath and cross the transition with a little more awareness."

Strong agrees formal meditation can be "a huge time-suck." She said right now, she has been trying to incorporate mindfulness into everyday tasks like washing dishes.

"Paying attention to how nice the warm water feels on my hands," or while applying hand lotion — "actually stopping to notice, and maybe slow down for a minute, and really experience that sensation."

Just breathe

Clements starts with simple breath work.

"Luckily we all know how to breathe! There's no special or right or wrong way," she said. Use breathing to "anchor," or ground, your awareness, paying attention to your inhale and exhale. The goal is to slow yourself down and be present.

Notice your thoughts and emotions, and be aware of body sensations.

Compassion and non-judgment

"It's actually really difficult to be mindful, because we live in this world where everything is just so busy all of the time," Strong said. "We might try to be in the moment, and then we're distracted."

If that happens, just note that you are having difficulty and remind yourself to refocus.

Compassion and non-judgment are key to mindfulness, the women say.

Set reminders

Both Clements and Strong remind themselves to be mindful!

'The more we learn about ourselves and pay attention to our emotions, our thoughts, our behaviours, then the more opportunity we have to respond to a place from our choosing,' says Mary Clements of Heartwork Wellness. (Submitted by Mary Clements)

Clements advises setting an alarm on your phone that will remind you a few times daily to take a couple of breaths, or that links to a short guided talk on mindfulness.

Strong leads a mindfulness meditation group with grad students at UPEI each morning, in which she plays a 10-15 minute guided audio meditation.

This is only one of many ways to practise mindfulness, she said. She also employs a simple blank sticky note at her desk to remind her to stop and take a deep breath.

'Learn how to do better'

Once you are able to slow down, ground yourself and pay attention, you can practise self-awareness and self-management, Clements said.

"You learn how to do better in terms of managing your thoughts, feelings, behaviours," she said.

Ultimately I think it's about connection to ourselves and to those around us. — Mary Clement, Heartwork Wellness

"Then, you can grow that awareness to how you might have impact on others around you."

She sees clients seeking control and freedom around relationships, and said mindfulness can help cultivate more compassion and empathy for themselves and others.

Apps and more

There are lots of resources available on mindfulness.

Apps like Headspace, Breethe and Chill can all introduce you to mindfulness and guide users through short meditations. (Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

Strong is currently using an app called Headspace, which has many exercises in various lengths. She also recommends the apps Breethe or Chill, which can introduce you to mindfulness and even send reminders, as well as the website mindful.org.

Clements has taken courses online from Mindfulness Without Borders, an organization that does international work around mindfulness. It has short audio recordings available online.

She recommends mindfulness pioneer Jon Kabat-Zinn's books and audiobooks, which include Mindfulness for Beginners and Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life.

She also listens daily to Louise Hay, a well-known positive psychologist.

The result

A book or an app can't do the work for you though, Clements reminds — you have to practise regularly, even in small bits. Then you will notice the payoff, she said.

Taking a moment to appreciate a beautiful sunrise can improve one's mood, says Strong. (Submitted by Sharon Neill)

"Certain situations where you might have gotten irritable or impatient — you start to notice these times where you had a little bit more empathy or patience or compassion for yourself or for the other person, so that's a pretty cool thing," she said.

"It's wonderful when you can feel and see those effects."

'No perfect way'

"There's no perfect way to be mindful," Clements said. "That's up to every individual to figure out what works for them. And I don't think it's about changing who you are.

"Ultimately I think it's about connection to ourselves and to those around us."

Mindfulness takes time and commitment and is an ongoing process, Clements said.

Being more mindful can lead to a more positive outlook and a happier life, said Strong.

"Noticing the sunrise, as the sun's coming up — these little moments that just pause the craziness ... can really improve quality of life and mood and stress management," she said.

More P.E.I. news

According to WMTW, Howland's Blaine Marston was the first $1 million Powerball winner.

Marston was one 300 Powerball players, fifteen of which were from Maine, won trips to NYC. On top of that, he was selected as one of five finalists given a chance to win $1 million.

Just after the ball dropped, he was selected as the winner.

See the video of how it played out HERE

He plans to invest much of the over $700,000 he'll walk away with.

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