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The Trump Winery in Virginia retained its undocumented workers until the end of the harvest in order to protect the wine despite knowing about their immigration status, a lawyer advising one of the laborers let go has claimed.

Anibal Romero, an immigration lawyer who has represented many former workers at Trump Organization properties, made the allegation to The New York Times after a number of undocumented laborers were fired this week from the winery.

Romero noted that Univision reported back in May the existence of undocumented Hispanic migrant workers at the Trump Winery, including some who had been there for years, and that their fake documents were never checked.

"Getting rid of them at that point could have caused problems for the wine," Romero told The New York Times, adding that he believes the vineyard management waited until the harvest season was complete to let the workers go.

The Trump Winery is a 1,300-acre estate in Virginia with a large 45-room hotel named Albemarle Estate with 10 guest rooms, and a 227-acre vineyard that produces 40,000 cases of wine a year.

Newsweek asked both The Trump Organization and Romero for comment by email and will update this story if any is provided.

The winery is not the only Trump property found using undocumented workers despite its owner President Donald Trump's hardline stance on the issue. The president campaigned to kick undocumented migrants out of the U.S. and is building a fence along the southern border.

In July, a group of 21 former Trump Organization workers who staffed his golf clubs and were facing deportation sought a meeting with the president, urging him in an open letter to "do the right thing."

"We are modest people who represent the dreams of the 11 million undocumented men, women and children who live and work in this country," the group wrote. "We love America and want to talk to you about helping to give us a chance to become legal."

They wrote that the Trump family and their associates know them and "will recall how hard we worked for you, your family and your golf clubs."

"You know we are hard workers and that we are not criminals or seeking a free ride in America," the letter read. "We believe you have a heart and will do the right thing to find a home for us here in America so that we can step out of the shadows and not deport us and our friends and family."

This article was updated with more information on the Albemarle Estate hotel.

Anibal Romero, an immigration lawyer who has represented a number of former Trump workers and is advising one of those fired from Trump Winery this week, said the pool of undocumented laborers at Trump properties has always been an open secret.

“He’s benefited from undocumented labor for a very long time,” Mr. Romero said.

A year ago, a New York Times story featured undocumented workers who served at Mr. Trump’s properties and had interactions with Mr. Trump himself. That article has since led to others from The Times, Univision and The Washington Post, which first reported on Tuesday the latest round of firings at Trump Winery.

Mr. Romero said he believed the Trump Organization thought it could get away with continuing to hire undocumented laborers, who feared repercussions that could disrupt their lives or livelihoods even though some had worked at Trump properties for a decade. But he said that since the Times story last year, more have emerged, empowered to speak. He now represents about 40 undocumented people who have worked at Trump properties.

“These workers have been there for many years,” Mr. Romero said. “It’s sad to hear about their firing. But many of them have been able to move on and get better paying jobs. At first when you hear about them, you feel bad. But then you realize that maybe it wasn’t the best environment to work in.”

In an audio recording from one of the firings this week at Trump Winery, a manager told a worker named Omar Miranda that the company had completed a review of immigration paperwork and found that his “did not seem genuine or was insufficient.”

Acquisition includes a potentially transformative immuno-oncology diagnostic test for the selection of therapy for cancer patients

Data presented at SITC 2019 demonstrated performance surpassing current predictive companion diagnostic tests

Includes a pharma trial lab compliant with 21 C.F.R. Parts 820 and 11

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 10, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OncoCyte Corporation (NYSE American: OCX), a molecular diagnostics company with a mission to provide actionable answers at critical decision points across the lung cancer care continuum, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire, through a subsidiary, all of the outstanding capital stock of privately-held Insight Genetics, Inc. (IG), which has a history of impactful discoveries in the areas of lung and breast cancer.

OncoCyte entered into the agreement to access IG’s technology and pharma service offerings. IG has a rich menu of relevant targeted therapeutic panels including two emerging therapeutic targets, RET and NTRK. IG’s lead test is the “Immune Modulation” (IM Score), a gene expression test that measures the state of the immune system in biopsies from cancer patients to identify patients more likely to respond to PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapies. Data presented at the 2019 Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting showed a strong association of the IM score with response to PD-1/PD-L1 targeted immunotherapy in lung cancer. Importantly, the IM Score test was superior to two currently marketed predictive companion diagnostic tests for immunotherapy selection, PD-1/PD-L1 IHC staining and tumor mutational burden (TMB). IG’s lab has capacity to support clinical trials or assay design across a cadre of currently available commercial platforms to develop companion diagnostics and has successfully completed audits by major pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies. IG has performed assay development and clinical testing for leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

IG has achieved ISO 9001 certification, and it has a CLIA certified and College of American Pathology accredited lab that performs and develops proprietary cancer tests. IG’s initial work identified and patented an ALK PCR translocation assay licensed by Qiagen. Its second initiative focused on Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), where IG developed a unique classifier that identifies six subtypes of TNBC, many of which have been demonstrated to have potential companion diagnostic applications to help women manage this deadly form of cancer.

“The addition of the Insight Genetics IM Score Test expands the decision points that OncoCyte’s proprietary portfolio of tests addresses along the lung cancer continuum of care. To our knowledge this test is uniquely differentiated in that it characterizes immune response in cancer tissue in the context of characteristics of surrounding tissue. Combined with DetermaRx™ (previously the Razor treatment stratification test), we now have proprietary tests that help manage key decision points in both early and more advanced lung cancer, ” said Dr. Doug Ross, Consulting Chief Medical Officer of OncoCyte.

The principal investigator of IG’s study, Dr. Gregory Vidal M.D, Ph.D., Lead of the Breast Cancer Research program at the West Cancer Center and Research Institute and Assistant Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center added, “Identifying which patients will benefit most from immunotherapy remains an outstanding question for oncologists. The data presented by the Insight Genetics team at SITC is incredibly promising, and the oncology community is looking forward to seeing the impact the IM score test can have on a broader patient population. I believe it has the potential to improve patient outcomes and streamline the development of new therapies.”

Padma Sundar, SVP Marketing and Market Access added, “According to a recent JAMA publication, close to 750,000 patients are eligible for immunotherapy treatment, representing a $2.2 billion total addressable market. The eligible patient population is anticipated to increase as immunotherapies are approved for the early stage adjuvant setting. In addition, there are close to 3,000 PD-1/PD-L1 ongoing clinical trials that are expected to recruit over 500,000 patients representing a large pharma services opportunity.”

Al Parker, Chief Operating Officer of OncoCyte further commented, ”We believe the combination of assets contemplated in this transaction will create enhanced value for our stakeholders and shareholders and advances our mission to provide actionable answers at critical and underserved decision points in lung cancer.”

About the Proposed Merger and Principal Transaction Terms

Upon closing, OncoCyte will deliver closing consideration of approximately $12 million, consisting of $7 million in cash and $5 million of OncoCyte common shares, less deductions for transaction expenses and other liabilities.

The merger agreement provides for OncoCyte to pay a 10-year revenue share of not more than 10% of net collected revenues for current IG pharma service offerings and a tiered revenue share percentage of net collected revenues through the end of the lifecycle if certain new cancer tests are developed using IG technology. OncoCyte may pay contingent consideration of up to $6 million, in any combination of cash or OncoCyte common shares if certain milestones are achieved.

The closing of the merger with IG is subject to a number of conditions, including approval of the merger by IG’s stockholders. OncoCyte will issue the shares in a private placement and has agreed to register the shares for resale. Additional information regarding the terms of the transaction will be provided in OncoCyte’s Current Report on Form 8-K expected to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 10, 2020.

Conference Call Information:

OncoCyte management will host a conference call and webcast today, January 10, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. ET. To access the call and webcast, please use the information below:

Dial in (US): 877-407-9716

Dial-in (International): 201-493-6779

Webcast: http://public.viavid.com/index.php?id=137640

About Insight Genetics

Insight Genetics is dedicated to improving the lives of cancer patients through advanced molecular diagnostics that enable precision cancer care. The company specializes in the discovery, development and commercialization of molecular diagnostics that detect specific cancer biomarkers in triple negative breast cancer and lung cancer to assist in guiding the effective diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of cancer. Insight Genetics partners with leading academic researchers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, clinical reference laboratories, and IVD kit manufacturers to create new standards of care for cancer patients worldwide.

About OncoCyte Corporation

OncoCyte is a molecular diagnostics company whose mission is to provide actionable answers at critical decision points across the lung cancer care continuum, with the goal of improving patient outcomes by accelerating and optimizing diagnosis and treatment. The company is currently preparing to launch a treatment stratification test that enables the identification of early-stage lung cancer patients at high risk for recurrence, allowing them to be treated when their cancer may be more responsive to adjuvant chemotherapy. DetermaDx, the company’s liquid biopsy test in development, utilizes a proprietary immune system interrogation approach to clarify if a patients’ lung nodules are benign, which may enable them to avoid potentially risky invasive diagnostic procedures.

OncoCyte Forward Looking Statements

OncoCyte cautions you that this press release contains forward-looking statements concerning, but not limited to, the acquisition of IG and the effects of the merger. The proposed merger described in this press release has not yet closed. All statements that are not historical facts (including, but not limited to statements that contain words such as “will,” “likely,” “may,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “intends,” “seeks,” “designs,” “develops,” “would,” “future,” “can,” “could,” “project,” “potential,” and similar expressions) are forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to changes in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to (i) failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, (ii) unexpected expenditures or assumed liabilities that may be incurred as a result of the acquisition, (iii) unanticipated difficulties in conforming business practices, including accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and financial records of IG with OncoCyte, (iv) inability to accurately forecast the performance of IG resulting in unforeseen adverse effects on OncoCyte’s operating results, (v) failure to satisfy the conditions to the completion of the acquisition on the anticipated schedule, or at all, (vi) synergies between IG and OncoCyte being estimates which may be materially different from actual results, (vii) failure to retain or integrate IG personnel, (viii) greater than estimated allocations of company resources to develop and commercialize IG technologies, or (ix) failure to maintain any laboratory accreditation or certification. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and commercialization of potential diagnostic tests or products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials, changes to regulatory requirements, the need and ability to obtain future capital, protection of trade secrets and maintenance of other intellectual property rights, and the need to obtain third party reimbursement for patients’ use of any diagnostic tests we commercialize. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and accordingly such statements should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the business of OncoCyte, particularly those mentioned in the “Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements found in OncoCyte’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, which are available on the SEC’s website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. OncoCyte undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

Investor Contacts

Bob Yedid

LifeSci Advisors, LLC

646-597-6989

bob@lifesciadvisors.com

Media Contact

Cait Williamson, Ph.D.

LifeSci Public Relations, LLC

646-751-4366

cait@lifescicomms.com

news, story, article

By Edward Williams, GNA

Hohoe (V/R), Jan. 01, GNA - Churches in Hohoe including Charismatic, Orthodox and Interdenominational churches have held 31st December all night church services to usher in the New Year, 2020.

Most churches were filled to capacity with congregants clad in all white or with a touch of white attires.

The watch night services were characterized by prayers, praises and worship, testimonies, and adoration to God for a successful 2019 and a better 2020.

At about 1900 hours, sounds and sparkles from explosives could be heard and seen in the streets and street corners, and churches.

Pastor Benjamin Acquaye, Head of Hope Temple of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), in a sermon asked Christians to be full of hope and not to rule themselves out in 2020 because of circumstances they endured in 2019.

"Let me prophesy in your life that before the first quarter of 2020, you will prevail in your finances, businesses and education. You never thought it will happen but I declare over your head that Jehovah will meet you at the point of your needs."

Apostle Dr. Ernest Adulai, the Senior Pastor of the Revival Assemblies of God Church, said any Christian that had the belief that they were destined for greatness and success would surely achieve them since nothing including death could stop them.

"As we start another decade, I want to tell you that special things happen in the beginning of decades. I declare 2020 will be your year full of blessings," he said.

Apostle Dr. Adulai called on the youth to live worthy lives and eschew all forms of social vices such as stealing.

Prayers were said for Ghana, the Presidency, Ministers of State, Institutions, and the citizenry.

At the stroke of midnight January 1, 2020, people shouted and bells rang with fireworks to announce the break of a new dawn as congregants were heard wishing one another "fe yeye na mì" (Happy New Year).

Kiki's Court, Obama Gardens, Malaysia Pub and Ghana @ 50, major drinking spots in the town were almost empty as managers of Kiki's Court shut services with the hope that the morning of the day would be 'better'.

There was police patrol in town while officers were stationed at some churches with most busy streets blocked to manage motor and vehicular traffic.

GNA

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: There is chance for rain in some parts of the country on Sunday, Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) said in its weather report. This could also bring down the temperature in the evening.

At the same time, temperature is expected to go up on Saturday with maximum temperature in Doha likely to reach 30 degree Celsius.

A shift in wind direction to southeasterly-southwesterly is likely on Saturday, January 4, 2020, causing moderate to fresh wind to become strong at times and could blow dust in some areas of the country, QMD added in its weather report.

Weather charts indicate a state of atmospheric instability on Sunday, January 5, 2020, due to extension of a low pressure system over the region as clouds are expected to increase gradually with a chance of scattered rain, may become thundery at times, until the beginning of Monday, January 6, 2020.

Northwesterly, moderate to fresh, wind is expected to affect the country again from Sunday evening becoming strong at times in some areas, causing a noticeable drop in temperature with minimum ranging between 10 to 17 degree Celsius and high waves exceeding 7 feet at times.

QMD urged public to avoid marine activities from Saturday evening until Tuesday as well as to follow latest updates through official social media accounts.

Bangkok, 27 December, 2019 – Thailand welcomed its 39th millionth tourist to the Kingdom today, a record high for the country that surpassed last week’s most recent record of 38.26 million arrivals.

Mrs. Anna Pavlovskaya, travelling from Moscow, Russia, with her family, arrived on Thai Airways International (THAI) flight TG975 at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport on 27 December to a VIP welcoming committee that included Minister of Tourism and Sports, H.E. Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakan.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate another arrival milestone for Thailand as we are both proud and grateful for this achievement. It shows that the entire Thai tourism industry remains committed to promoting quality tourism, to bring a better quality of life to all Thai people and continue to promote responsible tourism that both preserves Thailand’s tourism assets and generates revenue for the country,” H.E. Mr. Pipat, said.

After clearing immigration, she was invited to the latest welcome ceremony and was greeted by senior officials and VIPs from Thailand’s tourism industry, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Suvarnabhumi Airport, Immigration Bureau and Thai Airways International (THAI).

Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, said, “The new record of 39 million arrivals to Thailand shows that the TAT’s focus of promoting unexpected experiences in Thailand’s secondary destinations is paying off and attracting more visitors. This is also in line with the government’s direction to spread income to all levels of society while at the same time promoting responsible tourism.”

A ‘Luckiest Visitor’ jacket was presented to Mrs. Pavlovskaya in addition to a certificate, round-trip tickets for two between her country of residence and Thailand valid for one year, and a voucher for five nights’ accommodation at a four or five-star hotel in Thailand.

She also received gifts and souvenirs from representatives from Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Thai Tourist Police, and Immigration Department before being whisked away to their hotel in town in an exclusive airport limousine provided by THAI.

Mrs. Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas, added, “We are confident that Thailand will achieve our international tourism target of 39.77 million arrivals, which represents a 4% year-on-year increase. These will generate 1.96 trillion Baht revenue, also a 4% growth. Meanwhile, domestic tourism will reach 167 million trips, a 1% growth, and distribute 1.10 trillion Baht revenue. This means tourism will help inject 3.06 trillion Baht to the Thai economy this year.”

Posted By TheNewsCommenter: From News.yahoo.com: “Mexico arrests seven suspects in Mormon family massacre”. Below is an excerpt from the article.

Mexico City (AFP) - Mexican authorities have arrested seven suspects in connection with last month's massacre of nine Mormon women and children in the country's north, the attorney general's office said.

A local police chief suspected of links to organized crime was among those taken into custody, according to local media.

The victims -- six of them children -- had dual US-Mexican nationality and were shot dead on a rural road in a lawless region known for turf wars between drug cartels fighting over lucrative trafficking routes to the United States.

Investigators believe the cartel mistook the families for members of a rival gang, but some relatives reject that theory, saying they were deliberately targeted.

The prosecutor's office said in a statement Monday that three suspects were arrested on December 26 for "probable responsibility" in organized crime. The charges against the other four, arrested earlier, were not specified.

Read more...

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Galindo said he, Ramirez and Juana, were having a good time in the kitchen, when he stepped out briefly to take his dog into the living room. Galindo said that’s when he suddenly heard gunshots.

"It felt like I was being hit by the bullets,” Galindo said. “I can't explain how I felt in the moment because my instinct was to run out."

Galindo said he ran outside and asked a neighbor to call police and saw his friend, Ramirez, lying by the kitchen stove when police arrived.

"Could you imagine how it would feel to see your friend dead? Knowing that you were supposed to have a good new year and then something like this happens without expecting it? No one could've imagined it,” he said.

According to police, Juana fled the scene shortly after. Juana was charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

No arrests have been made yet. This is Roswell’s ninth homicide of 2019 within city limits.

Anyone with information about Juana’s whereabouts is asked to call the Roswell Police Department at (575) 624-6770.

ROSWELL, N.M. (KRQE) – The Roswell Police Department is seeking the public’s help to find a murder suspect. They are searching for 32-year-old Eleuterio Andres Juana who is accused of shooting 50-year-old Jaime Ramirez inside a home on New Year’s Eve.

According to RPD, a 911 call about the shooting came in around 6:20 p.m. Tuesday. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Ramirez lying on the kitchen floor. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“The investigation determined multiple people had been at the house visiting and drinking just prior to the shooting. Juana and Ramirez were in the kitchen talking before Juana allegedly shot Ramirez. Juana then fled the scene,” said Todd Wildermuth, public information officer for the Roswell Police Department.

Juana is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Eleuterio Andres Juana is asked to call the Roswell Police Department at (575) 624-6770 or Chaves County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-594-TIPS(8477).

The evacuation centre at Batemans Bay was hosting a stream of visitors on Thursday, some signing up and seeking advice while several people had set up tents on the nearby football oval.

The Herald spoke to a range of visitors anxious to leave, given advice by the RFS to exit the South Coast.

"We're undertaking the largest relocation of people out of the region in history, right now," said Andrew Constance, the local MP and Transport Minister.

"We need people to listen, respond, and get out," he told the Herald from the evacuation centre.

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Lady Gaga got a midnight kiss from a mystery man.

The “Shallow” singer, 33, was spotted kissing a man who wasn’t Dan Horton on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas following her residency performance. Wearing a sequined gown, Gaga and her new beau passionately made out as confetti fell around them.

The casanova’s name is Michael, TMZ reported Wednesday. No other information about the “A Star Is Born” actress’ suitor is known.

A rep for Lady Gaga didn’t immediately return Page Six’s request for comment.

Over the summer, the pop star was spotted making out with audio engineer Horton after she had split from fiancé Christian Carino.

Tagging 2020 as the ‘year of Revival and New Glory, Olukoya urged Nigerians to pray because the year would be messy and confusing.

Read Also: Pastor Tackles MFM’s Olukoya Over Christmas ‘Unbiblical’ Comment

Here are the prophecies below:

”1. 2020 is a year where disobedience to God would yield terrible result that no deliverance can reverse.

2. More than any other year the enemy plans to bring the dog spirit (strange sexual perversions).

3. Year where round the clock prayers are needed against national restlessness.

4. This year impatience would lure many Into strange marriages.

5. A year not only to take back what the enemy has stolen but for you to occupy new territories.

6. Hot prayers are required in 2020.

7. This year would be messy and confusing.

8. Year when some many leaders would be shifted away.

9. A year where all things many have planted and watered in the past years would now begin to produce fruits.

10. Year where many who have endured season of darkness and delay would sing their song and dance their dance.

11. Year of returns of long time prodigals.

ALSO READ: Oluwo of Iwo announces separation from his wife, Chanel Chin

12. Year we must return to our accient landmark ( holiness and righteousness.

13. Year of perfection for vision.

14. Year of positive and negative harvest.

15. Extra ordinary and sacrificial giving would yield powerful result this year.

16. 2020 would be an up and down year.

17. Year that the Lord shall tear in pieces kingdom of those boasting against him.

18. Season where that which that has delayed the blessing of God’s children shall be dashed to pieces.

19. Resurrection power would bring back dry bones.

20. The lord would bring fresh start for a lot of people.

21. The lord would bring fresh start for a lot of people.

22. Year for rewriting negative family history.

23. Year of aggressive prayers against voices from foundation.

24. Year of unbelievable answers to prayers.

25. Year of it can only be God testimonies.

26. Year where many captives would divorce their chains.

27. Year for consistently deploying the blood of Jesus.

28. Year when the Lord shall dash to pieces kingdom of evil rulers.

29. Many families shall climb to a new height of victory.

30. Year when sins must be more sensitive to heaven frequencies.

31. Food supplies from the kingdom of herod shall be cut off.”

Tanned and relaxed after a week in Mustique, Boris Johnson returns to the office this week as the most powerful Tory prime minister since Margaret Thatcher.

With Labour’s electoral coalition fractured perhaps beyond repair, Mr Johnson will believe he now has a decade at his disposal to reboot Britain - a job that begins with his renegotiation of the UK’s relationship with the European Union.

The outcome of this negotiation, the first phase of which is currently set to be completed by Dec 31 2020, will lay the political and economic foundations for what comes next, and yet it is still remarkably unclear how Mr Johnson intends to handle the process.

If he gets Brexit wrong, it could prove a permanent...

Trump Makes New Year's Resolution To Continue Being As Great As He Always Is

WASHINGTON, D.C.—President Trump has announced his New Year's resolution: to continue to be as great as he always is.

“This is an extremely important resolution because this country depends on my superior presidenting,” Trump explained in a press conference. “If I am anything less than the superb excellence I always am, millions could die.”

Trump says he knows his resolution will be controversial since, by his understanding, he was impeached in 2019 for being “too awesome a president,” but Trump vows to continue to be that awesome in 2020, even if it leads to a second impeachment. “I just love the country too much to be anything less than as great as I always am.”

To help with this resolution, Trump plans to read some self-maintaining books to help continue to be as good as he is. He does not plan to read any self-improvement books, though, since being any better than he already is “is not humanly possible.”

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Tom Brady Uses Protection Stones, And Other Top 'Talkers' Of 2019That time the six-time Super Bowl champion revealed that his supermodel wife has him use protection stones...

Boston's Favorite Spots For Inexpensive Italian FoodLooking to satisfy your appetite for Italian fare without breaking the bank?

Boston's Best Day SpasIf you are looking for some pampering and relaxation, maybe a day spa in the place for you. Here are the top rated spots in Boston.

To Do List: Holiday Pops, Harlem Globetrotters & Outdoor SkatingThe kids are just about on Christmas break and you’ll be looking for ideas to get everybody out of the house and moving.

Small Bites: Where To Celebrate National Cupcake Day In BostonCupcakes are having a moment, and with good reason. Here are some of the best in Boston.

Weekend To Do List: Ski Chalet In The City, Holiday Market, Tea Party ReenactmentWant to cozy up by the fire of an après ski chalet – in the city? It's just one option on this weekend's To Do List.

HANSON, MASS. (WHDH) - Emergency crews braved frigid conditions Tuesday night while rescuing two men from a Hanson pond.

Crews responding to reports of people yelling near the water on Maquan Pond around 10:30 p.m. found two men abut 100 yards offshore clinging to a capsized boat, according to a release issued by the Hanson Fire Department.

Firefighters in survival suits used an ice sled to get the men to safety.

They were in the water for an unknown amount of time and were transported to South Shore Hospital for exposure.

(Copyright (c) 2019 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

For Subscribers Hampton Beach Ocean Wok: Founder Matthew Fan to revive restaurant

Ocean Wok founder Matthew Fan is returning to take over the restaurant which he says went downhill after he left.

WEYMOUTH - Oh, baby! It’s a boy.

The first South Shore baby of 2020 was born at 1:26 a.m. at South Shore Hospital. The hospital says Baby New Year weighs 7 pounds, 8 ounces and he is 19¾ inches long.

The family declined to be interviewed. Mother and son are resting comfortably.

UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, estimates that 400,000 babies will be born on New Year's Day. In the United States, 10,452 babies wereexpected on Jan. 1.

In Boston, Dominick was born at exactly midnight at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, making him the city’s first birth of 2020.

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Doha: There is chance for rain in some parts of the country on Sunday, Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) said in its weather report. This could also bring down the temperature in the evening.

At the same time, temperature is expected to go up on Saturday with maximum temperature in Doha likely to reach 30 degree Celsius.

A shift in wind direction to southeasterly-southwesterly is likely on Saturday, January 4, 2020, causing moderate to fresh wind to become strong at times and could blow dust in some areas of the country, QMD added in its weather report.

Weather charts indicate a state of atmospheric instability on Sunday, January 5, 2020, due to extension of a low pressure system over the region as clouds are expected to increase gradually with a chance of scattered rain, may become thundery at times, until the beginning of Monday, January 6, 2020.

Northwesterly, moderate to fresh, wind is expected to affect the country again from Sunday evening becoming strong at times in some areas, causing a noticeable drop in temperature with minimum ranging between 10 to 17 degree Celsius and high waves exceeding 7 feet at times.

QMD urged public to avoid marine activities from Saturday evening until Tuesday as well as to follow latest updates through official social media accounts.

The Oyo State police command has opined that Alhaji Fatai Yusuf popularly known as Oko Oloyun was possibly killed because of a fraud he detected in his Lagos office.

This was made known to newsmen on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Olugbenga Fadeyi.

Also Read: Oko Oloyun, Popular Trado-Medical Expert, Shot Dead

The police spokesman stated that the detection of fraud by the trado-medical expert was possibly responsible for the fire incident in the office during which some account records were destroyed.

Going further, the police spokesman revealed that some of his staff and two police escorts are being questioned by a team of detectives from the homicide section of State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan, with a view of finding and apprehending the fleeing suspects, who committed the heinous act.

Meal time at Alynn Casgrain's home requires some co-ordination.

While her 11-month-old twin boys, Sam and Jake, wait patiently in their high chairs, four-year-old big sister Noelle cuts the vegetables for a pizza the whole family will soon be eating.

Casgrain and her husband, David Upper, believe their children should eat the same things they eat. That's because the Toronto mom was surprised by the added sugars she found in products designed for infants and toddlers.

"Those yogurt drinks were shocking. Low fat, all sugar," said Casgrain.

A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics backs that up. It found that nearly 61 per cent of infants (6-11 months) and 98 per cent of toddlers (12-23 months) consumed added sugars as part of an average daily diet.

The added sugars were mainly found in flavoured yogurts and fruit drinks.

"We wanted to understand what the consumption of added sugars were among infants and toddlers. It's a group that's not very well studied, so we wanted to add to the research base," said lead investigator Kirsten Herrick, with the U.S. National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md.

Nutrition experts warn us to try to limit our intake of added sugars, but they are everywhere: in breakfast cereals, baked goods, even yogurt and pasta sauces. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

Herrick's team analyzed data from 1,211 young children. They found that infants consumed about one teaspoon of added sugars daily; toddlers consumed about six teaspoons.

Experts, including the World Health Organization, say children should consume no more than six teaspoons of added sugar daily — an amount equal to about 25 grams.

"What was surprising was how early added sugar consumption started and how quickly it increased,'' she said.

'Kids eat like we do'

Herrick describes added sugars as an extra amount of sweetener that's added to any food product. It could be table sugar, honey, maple syrup or fruit concentrate. And it's "everywhere in the food system," she said, from fruit drinks and baked goods, to yogurts.

Jess Haines, an associate professor of applied nutrition at the University of Guelph, isn't surprised by the findings.

"Kids eat like we do. And adults, both in the U.S and Canada, we eat a fair bit of sugar," she said.

Haines said the university came to similar conclusions in its long-term Guelph Family Health Study, where researchers looked at various routines of children between 18 months and five years of age. When it came to diet, it found that 54 per cent of them exceeded the six teaspoons of sugar per day.

Jess Haines is an associate professor of applied nutrition at the University of Guelph. (Craig Chivers/CBC)

Haines says that all this added sugar can have long-term health effects, starting with cavities.

"We also see that when kids have higher intakes of sugar that's sustained over their lifetime, we can see an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes later in life."

As a parent herself, Haines understands that many babies and toddlers can be picky eaters. She also knows the time constraints many mothers and fathers face during the day, so she tries to recommend solutions that involve re-imagining what a snack can look like.

"Think of snacks, really, as mini-meals. Why not take some of the foods that you've had for either breakfast or lunch, make it smaller and they can have a snack like that during the day," she said.

Alynn Casgrain agrees. She and her husband try to control the added sugar intake of their children, particularly at home, by making much of their food from scratch.

Casgrain hopes this will lay the groundwork for healthy eating decisions later in life — but she knows it won't be easy.

"You have to be realistic about the fact that wherever they go, whether they're going to see friends or grandparents or when they get older and make their own decisions, there's going to be sweet stuff in front of them."

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Question:
Infowars host used his show to promote the theory that the shooting, which killed 20 children and six educators, was a hoax

A Texas judge ordered conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay $100,000 (£76,000) in another court setback over the Infowars host using his show to promote falsehoods that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax.

Jones is being sued for defamation in Austin, Texas, by the parents of a 6-year-old who was among the 26 people killed in the Newtown, Connecticut, attack.

State district judge Scott Jenkins ruled on 20 December that Jones and his defense team “intentionally disregarded” an earlier order to provide witnesses to attorneys representing a Sandy Hook father who brought the lawsuit, Neil Heslin. Jenkins also denied Jones’ request to dismiss the lawsuit.

An attorney for Jones did not immediately comment Tuesday. Jenkins’ orders were first reported by The Daily Beast.

Sandy Hook father awarded $450,000 after suing conspiracy theorist Read more

Jones operates Infowars in Texas. He is fighting similar lawsuits in Connecticut brought by other families of Sandy Hook victims for promoting a theory that the shooting was a hoax. A 20-year-old gunman killed 20 first-graders, six educators and himself at the school, after having killed his mother at their Newtown home.

The families said they have been subjected to harassment and death threats from Jones’ followers because of the hoax conspiracy.

Jones has since acknowledged that the Sandy Hook killings occurred. His attorneys have defended his speech in court as “rhetorical hyperbole” and deny it was defamation.

In June, the father of 6-year-old Noah Pozner, one of the Sandy Hook victims, won a defamation lawsuit against the authors of a book that claimed the shooting never happened.

Conspiracy promoter and right-wing media personality Alex Jones has been ordered to pay $100,000 in court costs and legal fees stemming from a lawsuit over his claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre of school children was a hoax, court records show.

Jones, founder of the Infowars radio show and webcast, has claimed the mainstream media and gun-control proponents conspired to fabricate the tragedy in which 20 school children and six school staff were shot dead at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012.

In response, several parents of the slain 6- and 7-year-old children sued Jones and Infowars for defamation and emotional distress in Texas, where Infowars is based, and in Connecticut.

In Texas, Travis County District Court Judge Scott Jenkins on Dec. 20 ordered Jones and Infowars to pay more than $100,000 in a case brought by Neil Heslin, whose 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, was killed at the school. The Daily Beast first reported the rulings on Monday.

Right-wing media personality Alex Jones has been ordered to pay $100,000 in a case brought by a man whose son was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. Jones is facing several lawsuits for his claim that the 2012 massacre was a hoax pic.twitter.com/8aA4xQtwha — Reuters (@Reuters) December 31, 2019

The judge’s filings ordered Jones to pay more than $100,000 for failing to provide discovery, or evidence owed to the opposing side, and for filing a frivolous request to dismiss the case. In October, the same judge ordered Jones to pay another $25,875 for failing to respond to a previous discovery order.

Jones’ attorney, Wade Jefferies, said the lawsuit should be dismissed on freedom of speech grounds and said he would appeal the judge’s decision not to dismiss it. He also said the legal payments ordered by the judge were excessive.

“As to the actual amounts of attorney’s fees awarded, in my opinion, and every lawyer with knowledge of the case I have talked to agrees, the attorney’s fee awards are excessive,” Jefferies said in an email.

The Sandy Hook tragedy rocked the United States when a 20-year-old man shot and killed his mother at home and then went on a rampage at the school, also killing himself.

Jones began promoting the fiction that the event was staged. After conducting what he called “deep research,” Jones said in 2014 “the whole thing was fake.”

However, in a deposition linked to one of the suits, Jones later conceded that “children died and it’s a tragedy,” while also denying he had wronged the parents of the slain children.

Mark Bankston, an attorney representing Heslin and three other Sandy Hook parents, said Jones has “put a middle finger up to the court.”

“Hopefully these orders will have the effect of telling him there’s severe consequences for this,” Bankston said.

Q. At present, super top-up policies are available with ₹20 lakh as the highest cover. Is it permitted for an individual to take two separate policies with two different service providers and submit claims on both, should medical expenses exceed ₹20 lakh?

N. KRISHNAMOORTHY

A. A super top-up policy comes into play once the sum insured (SI) under your basic policy for an entire policy year is exhausted. To begin with, you would have structured your super top-up policy threshold limit to match the SI under your basic policy.

You are exploring a need for a higher coverage than both these put together. If you take two super top-up policies from two different insurers, you may be able to claim under both the policies, but payment will be received only proportionately from each policy depending on the threshold and the SI of each. The limiting factor is that this is an indemnity policy and you can only make claims against bills.

An alternative could be the following, and this is hypothetical. In addition to looking at the maximum SI under your second super top-up policy, try for a threshold limit matching the combined SIs of your basic policy and the first super top-up policy. Then you can claim in sequence with higher coverage.

By the way, many companies offer higher SIs than what you mention on super top-ups and you should be able to shop around successfully.

Q. I have taken a term insurance policy. I am not into technical things about choosing term insurance. It is being initiated by an agent. Please advise whether I should continue with it or switch to any other option. Now, I am in the free-look period when I can return the policy. I am in a state of confusion; please help me.

PABITRA P. K.

A. Please talk to your agent and get them to explain the pros and cons of a term insurance policy which is pure insurance without any investment return or survival/ maturity benefit. Because of the same reason, it is the most cost-effective life insurance.

If these benefits are not what you need, you can make use of your free-look period (usually 15 days) and terminate the policy, getting a pre-decided part of your premium refunded.

After that process, please talk further to your agent and explore which other policy suits you best before making a final decision. This is a long-term investment and something that affects your financial planning for life, so it is worth investing in making a well-informed decision that you are confident about and can live with.

(The writer is a business journalist specialising in insurance & corporate history)

Washington [US], Jan 01 (ANI): Hours after upping the ante against Iran on Twitter, US President Donald Trump has said he is not gearing up for war with Tehran adding that he prefers peace.

Trump made these remarks while speaking to media as he arrived at the grand ballroom at Mar-a-Lago for a New Year bash on Tuesday night, Russia Today reported.

"War with Iran? I don't think that would be a good idea for Iran...I like peace...I don't see that happening," Trump said.

Earlier in the day, Trump blamed Iran for the attack on the US embassy in Baghdad and said that the Islamic Republic will have to pay a big price if any American is killed.

Dozens of protesters broke into the US embassy compound in Baghdad, smashed windows, set fire to outbuildings and overturned vehicles outside the US Embassy, CNN reported.

This development came after the US conducted strikes at five facilities linked to Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia in Iraq and Syria.

The US ambassador to Iraq and other staff were evacuated from the embassy.

Earlier, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the embassy shortly after funerals were held for fighters of Kataib Hezbollah militia killed in Sunday night strikes that the Pentagon launched in response to a rocket attack on a Kirkuk base. (ANI)

nope. once you establish the habit of not eating crap like ice cream and so on, it's very easy not to eat it.

the major problem a lot of people have is, they have absolutely no control over what habits they pick up. they want one thing, and their a ss wants another, and their a ss wins that fight. basically their brain is being controlled by their a ss. it's very sad.

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With all the 'new year, new me' mantras floating about for the new decade - why not take the plunge and apply for a new job?

There are hundreds of vacancies across Staffordshire, but we've plucked out 20 that almost anyone could apply for today - with little experience needed.

Whether you fancy making coffee, answering the phone, or selling beauty products - you'll find a job in this list that you can apply for.

Intu Potteries

Ann Summers sales assistant

Front of house at Ann Summers in the intu Potteries centre. Applicants need to be over 18 and flexible to work Thursday to Sunday.

For more information, click here.

Security officer for intu

Carrying out regular patrols of the car park and ensuring compliance with all internal procedures and site processes.

To apply, follow this link .

Monsoon Assistant Manager

Monsoon looking for an experienced Assistant Manager to join their busy Hanley Monsoon Accessorize branch.

Apply online here .

Waiting-on staff at Burger Priest

Full time and part time vacancies at one of Hanley's newest eateries with a religious theme.

For more information on the role, click here .

Affinity Outlet

BB’s Team Member

Bakers and Barista's are looking for someone to serve coffee and cake with a smile. Experience isn't essential - so perfect for a first job!

View the job advert here .

Charles Clinkard sales assistant

This footwear store is looking for a part time staff member for a temporary contract until February.

For more information, click here .

Cotton Traders sales assistant

Cotton Traders inside Affinity Outlet are looking for a sales assistant over the age of 18. As well as 50% discount, staff also get a clothing allowance.

Apply online here .

Edinburgh Woollen Mill apprentice

This popular store is offering the opportunity for a candidate to work a 16 hour apprenticeship at Edinburgh Woollen Mill.

For details on how to apply, click here .

Sports Direct sales assistant

Sports Direct are looking for a sales assistant with 'fantastic customer service, commitment, enthusiasm and the flexibility to work weekends and late nights'.

If that sounds like you, click here for more information.

Beauty Outlet store manager

If you're interested in makeup and are 'confident and bubbly', then this Beauty Outlet role could be for you.

Apply for the position here .

Trespass store supervisor

Trespass are on the hunt for a part time supervisor to run the store when the manager is away.

For more information, click here .

Affinity Staffordshire cleaning operative

Get hands on at North Staffordshire's biggest retail park, with no need for previous cleaning experience.

To learn more, click here .

GAP floor manager

GAP are searching for a sales and team driven floor manager to join the team in Affinity Staffordshire.

View the job advert here .

Talke Scents fragrance advisor

This fragrance store are looking for temporary staff for a 12 hour contract. The right candidate should have a minimum of 12 months retail/customer service experience.

For details on how to apply, click here .

Costa barista

If you've got 'bags of personality' and great with customers, then Costa would love to have you on their Affinity Outlet team.

To learn more, click here .

Burger King cleaner

Burger King need someone to ensure that areas are 'cleaned to the highest standards at all times'. Cleaning experience is preferred but full training will be provided if necessary.

For details on how to apply, click here .

Burger King crew member

As well as a cleaner, Burger King are hiring two crew members to join the team in the kitchen.

To learn more, click here .

Royal Stoke and Stafford County Hospitals

Apprentice Administration Support

Stafford County Hospital are looking for someone to join the Endoscopy team to support with admin on the busy reception desk.

View the job advert here .

AdministrationAssistant

Royal Stoke's Urology department are on the hunt for an administrative assistant to join the secretarial team to get their foot in the door of working in the NHS.

To apply, click here .

Sleep Receptionist

Join the team in the Sleep and Ventilation clinic at Royal Stoke to work on the reception, taking calls and inputting referrals.

Find more information on the role here .

Follow StokeonTrentLive

Download our app - You can download our free app for iPhone and iPad from Apple's App Store , or get the Android version from Google Play .

Follow StokeonTrentLive on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to give it a like!

Follow us on Twitter - For breaking news and the latest stories, click here to follow SOTLive on Twitter .

Follow us on Instagram - Featuring pictures past and present from across Stoke-on-Trent, North Staffordshire & South Cheshire - and if you tag us in your posts, we could repost your picture on our page! We also put the latest news in our Instagram Stories. Click here to follow StokeonTrentLive on Instagram .

click to enlarge NASA / Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory / Southwest Research Institute

Pluto

SATURN-PLUTO CONJUNCTION: GROW UP AND GET REAL

The long-awaited Saturn-Pluto conjunction in Capricorn arrives January 12. The astro-blogosphere's scare tactics trigger the fear factor, ominously hinting at international power clashes, constrictive structural and societal pressures around issues of borders and boundaries, and the powerful versus the powerless via this heavy, intense transit. Regardless of the global implications of the meeting of the cosmic timekeeper, Saturn, with raw, ruthless power-player Pluto, this transit need not inspire fear or dread if we accept that the purpose of change is to develop maturity. Growing up, getting real, and accepting personal responsibility is only scary if one has no role model for successful adulting. This month provides celestial parenting on a grand scale.

Maturity means accepting reality in all its messy ambiguity and imperfection. Good parents prepare their children to face reality. The "parents" here are the Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Moon-ruled Cancer, opposite the Sun, Saturn and Mercury in Capricorn January 10. Light, symbolic of consciousness, is darkened during an eclipse. When the Moon is re-revealed, she allows us to see our truth in a new, realistic, unromanticized light. With the Sun, Saturn, Pluto, Jupiter, and the South Lunar Node all in Capricorn now, that light reveals the shouldering of adult responsibility, the acceptance of hard work and personal sacrifice in order to nurture growth, nest a domestic environment, enhance emotional security and preserve ancestral heritage and family values.

The square of the Sun to Uranus January 22 portends shakeups in the hierarchal status quo. New Moon in Aquarius January 24 with Neptune's conjunction to Venus January 26 and square to Mars January 28 reveal the genuine. Authenticity's value skyrockets. It turns out our fears are only as scary as our refusal to grow up and get real. The more we accept the unvarnished truth, the wiser we grow.

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Question:
Happy New Year! The 2020 Rose Parade is slated to start in less than three hours. Here is what you need to know to prepare for, watch and enjoy Pasadena’s most colorful annual spectacle.

Time and location

The Rose Parade rolls at 8 a.m. starting from the corner of Green Street and Orange Grove Boulevard. For most of the 5.5-mile route, the floats will travel along Colorado Boulevard, where thousands of spectators will be stationed for the best views.

Expect big crowds. Nearly 800,000 people are expected to attend the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl, both organized by the Tournament of Roses Association. Special security will be in place to protect the throngs.

Public transportation, parking and road closures

The Gold Line has several stops near the parade route: Del Mar, Memorial Park, Lake and Allen stations. Umbrellas, chairs and coolers will not be permitted on the trains. Roundtrip fare is $3.50.

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Overnight street parking begins at noon on Dec. 31, for that evening only. No parking is allowed along the route. Paid parking is available at lots and structures near the route.

Starting Tuesday night, several streets in the Pasadena area will be closed. The California Department of Transportation will also close or restrict off-ramps and on-ramps of the 710, 210, 134 and 110 freeways.

Weather

The day may start off chilly, so if you arrive before sunrise, you may want to bring some mittens or gloves. But temperatures are expected to reach the mid-60s by the afternoon, with skies clear and mostly sunny. Santa Ana winds on Tuesday are expected to weaken by Wednesday.

Costs

Curbside, it’s first-come, first-served to grab a spot to watch the parade. The die-hard fans will have camped out overnight for a front-row seat.

Grandstand seating is available through Dec. 31. Tickets range from $60 to $110 and can be purchased from sharpseating.com.

Safety

Officers from the Pasadena Police Department — and their canine units — will be out in full force to manage public safety during the parade.

Overnight camping is only permitted on the night of Tuesday, Dec. 31.

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Tents, sofas, boxes, unoccupied seats, ladders and scaffolding are not allowed along the parade route. Bonfires are strictly prohibited and considered “illegal burns,” punishable by a fine and/or jail time. Fireworks are also banned.

For up-to-date text message alerts from public safety officials, text ROSEPARADE to 888777.

Channels

If you decide to skip the crowds and watch the parade from the comfort of your home, these channels will have a live broadcast beginning at 8 a.m. PST:

ABC-7

KTLA-5

NBC-4

Univision

The Hallmark Channel

Funny or Die’s “Rose Parade Live With Cord & Tish,” will apparently not be streaming this year. It’s a blow for all those who love Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon’s satirical take on live parade coverage — and the reactions from Twitter users who aren’t in on the joke.

Grand marshal and theme

This year, there are three Rose Parade grand marshals: Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez, actress Gina Torres and performer Rita Moreno.

Rita Moreno. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

Moreno is distinguished for being one of a handful of people who have achieved an EGOT: She has won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.

The parade’s theme this year is “The Power of Hope.”

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Enjoy the parade. Happy New Year!

Cuteness by the dozen in Princeton: Make way for duck eggs at Woodland Gardens Farm

× New law makes Missouri corporate tax one of lowest in US

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Thousands of Missouri businesses will receive tax cuts with the new year. But because of the way the new law is written, some corporations doing business in Missouri could end up paying more.

The give-and-take tax law enacted by former Gov. Eric Greitens just hours before his May 2018 resignation is to finally take effect Wednesday with the start of the 2020 tax year. The law will cut Missouri’s corporate income tax rate from 6.25% to 4%, making it one of the lowest rates in the nation. But another provision in the law will do away with an option for calculating corporate income that could result in higher Missouri tax bills for some multi-state businesses.

The two-prong overhaul to Missouri’s corporate tax laws has made it difficult to project whether the state stands to gain or lose money, and if so ho much. Yet the state’s largest business groups believe the change will be beneficial.

“Ultimately, I think what we could see is a bit of incentivizing companies to set up operations here in the state and bring employees into the state,“ said Matthew Panik, vice president of governmental affairs for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Or if they’re already here, to of course increase their operations.”Forty-four states levy corporate income taxes, which typically account for a much smaller slice of state revenues than individual income and sales taxes. The lowest flat corporate tax rate is in North Carolina, at 2.5%.

When figuring corporate income taxes, Missouri currently allows businesses to chose among options. One approach calculates the percentage of their total income attributable to in-state sales when figuring their Missouri income tax. Another approach lets businesses average the percentage of their total sales, payroll and property attributable to Missouri when calculating their tax.

The three-part option can reduce Missouri income taxes for businesses that sell products in Missouri but don’t have physical stores or warehouses in the state. The new law will end that option and instead require all corporate income taxes to be based on Missouri sales, joining a majority of states that already use that approach.

After the law was enacted, legislative research staff estimated that it could result in anywhere from a net $4.4 million tax cut to a $4.9 million tax increase for the 2020 fiscal year, which ends July 1. ear.

Projections diverge even further for the law’s first full year of application. Legislative researchers estimated its impact could range from an $8.8 million net tax cut to a $9.7 million tax increase in fiscal year 2021. The nonprofit Missouri Budget Project, which analyzes state financial issues with an eye toward their impact on low-income residents, estimated the new law could result in a net 28 million tax cut.

The Missouri Budget Project said the corporate tax changes build on a “decades-long trend of cutting taxes.”

“It continues to erode the foundation and our ability to fund education, early ed, infrastructure, health care and all of the other services that families and communities rely on,” said Traci Gleason, the Missouri Budget Project’s vice president of external relations.

The Republican-led Legislature also passed changes to Missouri’s individual income tax code in 2018. That law reduced the top individual income tax rate from 5.9% to 5.4% effective Jan. 1, 2019. But the effect of the tax rate cut was offset by another provision in the law that reduced the Missouri income tax deduction that can be claimed for taxes paid to the federal government.

I have a VM I am trying to clean up for backup and I can not compact it now.

What I have done is :

From VMware® Workstation 15 Pro :

Linux VM

100gb disk not pre-allocated 40gb shown used in VM files (2gb really used on virtual disk)

defragged disk (Worked) Took a while to complete

Compacted disk (Worked 1st time) Took a while to complete

Disks did not shrink at all

I realized there was a snapshot so I deleted it.Took a while to complete.

Now Disk says 88GB used ! (Still only 2gb of files on Virtual disk)

Tried compact and defrag again and both finish immediately with no errors.

Disk not compacted or shrunk at all.

tried :

# vmware-toolbox-cmd disk shrink /

Shrink disk is disabled for this virtual machine.

What is going on here ? This all used to work....

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.

Follow Trend on Telegram. Only most interesting and important news

U.S. home prices rose faster in October than the previous month as many would-be buyers competed for a limited supply of available properties.

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller 20-city home price index rose 2.2% in October from a year ago, up from a 2.1% annual gain in September.

The Tuesday report suggests that home price increases are being revived after the pace of gains hit a seven-year low in July. The Federal Reserve’s three cuts to short-term interest rates in 2019 have accelerated sales of new and existing homes. The sales pickup may now be pushing up prices more quickly.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) (AP) — Running back Tony Jones Jr. became the second player for No. 14 Notre Dame to forego his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. Jones made the announcement Tuesday on Twitter. On Monday, senior safety Alohi Gilman declared for the draft. The announcements followed quarterback Ian Book’s declaration Sunday night on social media that he would use his fifth year of eligibility to return in 2020. The draft is April 23-35.

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Question:
KZN New Year's babies: 48 girls, 47 boys

Durban - A total of 95 babies were born in hospitals across KwaZulu-Natal on January 1. Earlier on Wednesday, The Mercury reported that 66 babies were born however, by 5pm, that number had increased. According to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health, 48 girls and 47 boys were born on New Year's Day.

The department said a high profile delegation which included national health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize and KZN premier Sihle Zikalala, had visited the King Dinzulu Hospital in Asherville where they handed out gifts to mothers and their newborns.

Mkhize said he was pleased that the babies born on Wednesday received their birth certificates just hours after being born.

"We are putting this in place in a number of hospitals. By the time we institute the National Health Insurance, these children will be registered at birth and their parents will be a part of a national register. This means we will have the kind of healthcare that will see to it that people are given healthcare at the place and time that it is needed regardless of whether or not they can afford it. It will mean us doing a lot of work to upgrade the staff and facilities. We are starting this decade off by implementing these changes and improvements," he said.

Mkhize further warned parents to ensure that their children are immunised on time. He further shared on the current stage of the NHI process, explaining that there were still some provinces where still to undergo public hearings and then feedback to be given to parliament. Mkhize also shared on other developments in his department.

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The Mercury

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala Picture: Sibonelo Ngcobo/African News Agency(ANA)

Durban - A high profile delegation of government officials are set to welcome the province's New Year's Day babies at the King Dinuzulu Hospital on Wednesday. Health Minister Dr Zwelini Mkhize together with KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala will be accompanied by acting KZN MEC for Health Kwazi Mshengu and KZN Health Head of Department Dr Sandile Tshabalala. They are due to arrive at the hospital just after 11am.

King Dinuzulu Hospital (formerly King George V Hospital) was recently refurbished with a new state-of-the-art emergency centre. This is part of government’s delivery on the commitments made in the Presidential Health Compact through the Public Health Infrastructure Refurbishment Programme.

Government leaders will also inspect the upgrades at the hospital and interact with the greater community of clients and health care workers in the facility.

Last year, more than 40 babies were born on January 1 across the province of KZN

Hey, can I recycle this?

Metro and cities launch website on what to throw in the trash and what can be recycled

Attention please! Plastic bags cannot be recycled.

Although cities, counties, Metro regional government and garbage haulers have all publicized this information, plastic bags and plastic wrap that goes around toilet paper packages and the like continue to end up in recycle bins.

"Plastic bags have never been part of curbside recycling, but they have been the biggest problem at the (recycling) plants," said Shannon Martin, program manager, recycling and solid waste, for the city of Gresham.

The bags and wrap get tangled up in the machinery and the machines have to be shut down while the bags are extracted. It slows things down and raises the cost of recycling.

As much as people want to recycle plastic bags, they go in the trash.

"People want to do the right thing," said Patrick Morgan, recycling specialist, at Metro regional government. "But they run the risk of contaminating the rest of the recycle. It's more important to recycle correctly than recycle a lot."

Of course, taking a reusable bag to the store or for take out food, can reduce the number of plastic bags households end up with in the first place.

Recycling can be confusing. It seems odd that a cereal box, milk carton and aseptic soup and juice cartons can be recycled, but not the box that housed frozen mac and cheese.

To help the public figure out what can go in the recycle bin and what has to be tossed in the garbage, Metro and local governments have launched a web page, recycleornot.org, to help answer questions about what can be recycled, even with the most baffling items.

There is also an Instagram page @recycleornot where people can send photos and questions on specific items.

The web page divides items by materials: plastic paper, glass and metal and "other." People can scroll through the examples that are clearly marked "recyclable" or "not recyclable."

Other items that cannot be recycled, but often end up in the recycle bin, are take out and to-go containers, plastic clamshells and coffee and drink cups. Lids for plastic cups and condiment packets are also garbage.

Republic Services in Woodburn, which serves north Marion County, also provides a website to clarify recycling: recyclingsimplified.com.

Gresham's Martin said that just because the little recycle arrows are on the bottom of a container does not mean it belongs in the curbside recycle.

Batteries cannot be recycled or put in the trash. The Metro web page can help people find a place to take toxic materials at: oregonmetro.gov/tools-living/garbage-and-recycling/find-a-recycler.

Holiday recycling

Christmas and Hanukkah gifts can produce mountains of debris, some can be recycled and a much of it has to go in the garbage.

Wrapping paper that does not have glitter or foil on it can go in the recycling.

"A little bit of tape is OK," Morgan said.

Holiday lights cannot be recycled. Bows, ribbon and broken glass ornaments are also a no go.

Cards with those tiny batteries that sing or say something cannot be recycled, unless the battery is removed. The batteries are causing fires in the recycling plants.

Those big blocks of styrofoam that cushion many gifts can't go into the curbside recycle bin. Gresham accepts it at Earth Day events.

Said Martin: "Oregonians have a deep commitment to the environment and recycling is very important. We're encouraging people to check the list and do it right." '

The former Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Professor Opoku Onyinah, has admonished Christians not to rush for signs particularly during the end of the year since God can give signs at any time of the year.

According to the Ghanaian theologian, Christians ought to “flow in the spirit” and allow God in their lives to “carry you through life’s challenges successfully in Christ.”

In his new year’s message posted on Facebook today, January 1, 2020, Apostle Opoku Onyinah, explained that “When the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign, He did not give them any, but referred them to the sign of Jonah,” pointing out that “Do not rush for prophecies. We already have the sign of Jesus, God with us.”

In addition, he advised Christians, “Please don’t rush for signs, the Lord can give you signs at any time, not only during the end of year.”

Below is the post

I wish all of you a Happy New Year. Let the song of God’s faithfulness flow from your heart this year, trusting that the One who has brought you this far will carry you through the year 2020 faithfully. When the Pharisees and Sadducees asked Jesus for a sign, He did not give them any, but referred them to the sign of Jonah. Do not rush for prophecies. We already have the sign of Jesus, God with us. If He wants to give you more signs, He will do so. Please don’t rush for signs, the Lord can give you signs at any time, not only during the end of year. May you flow in the Spirit and may He carry you through life’s challenges successfully in Christ.

---graphic.com.gh

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Valentine Joseph says three of her four brothers died when she was growing up.

One of them passed away in her arms.

They all had sickle cell disease.

Joseph said, "He was never properly diagnosed. Even today it's still an issue in Haiti. They all died in Haiti."

Joseph who carries the trait for the disease, hopes she can save lives in Haiti through her JayJ Foundation, which she started in memory of her brothers.

She says some area doctors want to help. "We will be launching the sickle cell initiative where we will be testing newborns and kids up to age 5. And if they do have sickle cell disease, we will be providing them with the necessary medication and treatment."

Joseph already visits Haiti helping with food and other supplies. Now it will be about sickle cell anemia, a disease that goes beyond her home country.

Dr. Nayf Edress, a pediatric hematologist and oncologist, says, "Sickle cell anemia is an inherited genetic disorder that affects the red blood cells. It is disproportionately affecting the African American and the Hispanic population."

Strides made in the U.S. in medications to help those with sickle cell.

"We are really excited. for over four decades we only had the same medications for the last four decades. It's really until last year we had one additional medication and this year that we have two additional medications. Hopefully these will be history in the making that we are witnessing", said Dr. Edress.

Meanwhile, Joseph hopes to make history by helping kids in Haiti diagnosed with sickle cell have a fighting chance. "I want to make a difference in one or two however many I can whether it's here and also in Haiti," she says.

For more information visit https://jayjfoundation.org/ or call 561-714-9652.

In April 2019, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke at Texas A&M University about his experience as director of the CIA. The video with his remarks was later shared by Russian international network RT.

US-based MSNBC host and correspondent Joy Reid came under increased scrutiny this Tuesday after slamming US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for allegedly appearing on Russian TV network RT. In a now-deleted post, Reid retweeted a video with the RT logo of Pompeo speaking at Texas A&M University in April 2019 about his work at the CIA. Just like the user, who originally shared the clip, the TV host suggested that the US secretary of state had made the remarks while being a guest on the Russian news channel.

In the video, that was previously shared by RT on its social media, Pompeo reflected on his work as the director of the CIA, while saying “we lied, we cheated, we stole”.

“We had entire training courses”, the secretary of state said, when replying to a question about US foreign policy.

Pompeo: 'I was the CIA director. We lied, we cheated, we stole' [April 2019] pic.twitter.com/f94BfEYMCQ — RT (@RT_com) December 8, 2019

Reid seemed to believe that the remarks were made during Pompeo’s supposed appearance on RT, which caused her vociferous reaction.

“Can you imagine what Republicans would have said if Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had gone on Russian State TV and said this during the Obama administration?” Reid said in a now deleted tweet, as quoted by Fox News. “Now? Republicans are unphased by this remarkably brazen Kremlin bowing. Putin really did win the year

Yet again, Joy Reid is blatantly lying and there will be no consequences at all because she works for MSNBC and is spreading lies to advance today's neo-McCarthyism.

RT pulled a random clip of Pomepo's speech. In Reid's hands, this becomes: Pomepo "has gone on Russian State TV." https://t.co/x3EN6D2Z4b — Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) December 31, 2019

The MSNBC host was rebuked for the error, which prompted Reid to later delete the tweet and clarify that Pompeo’s comments were actually made in Texas. The correspondent, however, did not apologise for her mistake.

This actually was said in Texas and was posted by RT. Updating for my thread. https://t.co/61zHaiZTCZ — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) December 31, 2019

Netizens were shocked that Reid had managed to escape almost unscathed for such an egregious error, slamming the journalist for failing to do her homework before making bold statements.

You should get facts straight first and not spread misinformation — Ellen Stevens (@EllenSt92614455) December 31, 2019

You’re a journalist, you have a responsibility to fact check information before making gut instinct reactions. You do not just damage your own credibility with such actions, but you are damaging modern journalism’s credibility when journalism is more important than ever. — E. (@machiavelliauo) December 31, 2019

So just an “update” but no apology for spreading fake news?? You are pathetic! — maria (@maria62514863) January 1, 2020

What happened to your tweet about Pompeo on Russia RT?? Did you right that???

What a clown! You don't even rate a Fake News! You get the pure BS rating! — MTPhillips (@MTP_IOH54) December 31, 2019

@JoyAnnReid lied about Pompeo like she often does about Trump but had to delete her tweet.... Stupid leftists are liars — W Johnson (@gymmratttt) January 1, 2020

I dont think you lied with the Pompeo tweet you deleted. I think you're an idiot and actually believed it. If you had any integrity you would have apologized for it. — BigCat (@ImTheRealBarry) January 1, 2020

Reid also came under fire back in 2018 after making dubious claims that some of her old blog posts containing homophobic statements were a result of hacker attacks.

Instruction: Retrieve semantically similar text.