Question:
Bank of Korea governor Lee Ju-yeol speaks during a press conference on its key interest rate in Seoul on October 16. AFP

Korea’s financial chiefs eye growth momentum in face of challenges

Gearing up for the new year, South Korea’s top financial officials steeled themselves to face persistent external challenges and to spark new momentum for growth.

As the trend toward low interest rates is expected to continue for a while, regulators vowed further efforts to curb the real estate bubble and promote market liquidity for innovative businesses.

“We need to maintain an easing monetary policy as the domestic economy faces a slow growth pace and weak inflationary pressure on the demand side,” said Bank of Korea Gov. Lee Ju-yeol in an address to employees. “Our midterm goal is to support the recovery of the economy and help market prices settle within the target range.”

The BOK forecast that the economy will expand 2.3 per cent in 2020, short of the theoretical growth potential of 2.5-2.6 per cent. The nation’s inflation rate for 2019 stood at a record low of 0.4 per cent, much lower than the BOK’s target 2 per cent.

The central bank leader also promised to pay further attention to communication so that the public can understand the delicate policy decisions needed to harmonize price stabilization and financial stabilisation.

Meanwhile, the financial authorities called on the financial sector to make strides forward and nudge the economy into a rebound.

“I am well aware that negative perspectives toward finance continue to exist (despite the policy achievements in 2019),” said Eun Sung-soo, chairman of the market regulator Financial Services Commission, in his New Year’s address. “It is therefore our key task to further develop our progress so that the people may actually feel the financial changes.”

The FSC chief called on the financial industry to play a more active role in the nation’s economy.

“The role of finance is not to sit behind and watch. It should move in step with the real economy, and each should seek to make up for the other’s blind spots,” he said.

Pointing out that market liquidity has focused excessively on real estate, instead of real industries, the chairman vowed to follow up the latest policy actions by adding momentum to regulations. On Dec. 16, the government unveiled a comprehensive set of rules to steady the housing market, including unprecedented bans on mortgage loans for expensive houses.

“This year, we shall see to it that liquidity flows from households to corporations, especially small and medium-sized ones with innovative technology and growth potential,” Eun said.

The market watchdog Financial Supervisory Service focused on consumer protection and potential risks arising from the overheated housing market and consequent household debts.

“As the nation’s risk manager, we should make all efforts to maintain the stability of the financial system in the face of various potential risks,” Yoon Suk-heun, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, said in an address to employees.

While marginal companies and owner-operators have been weighed down by an increasing number of nonperforming loans, the real estate sector is absorbing most of the market liquidity, consequently expanding household debt risk, according to Yoon.

The FSS chief also vowed to reinforce the monitoring system for high-risk, high-income financial products for the sake of protecting consumers.

He was referring to the massive losses incurred last year due to the misselling of derivative-linked funds and securities. The FSS came up with an arbitration plan, advising sellers including Woori Bank and KEB Hana Bank to provide individual compensation of up to 80 per cent of the damages.

“The advancement of fintech and (customers’) drive for high incomes amid a low interest rate trend have increased the imbalance of information between financial companies and consumers,” Yoon said, citing the upcoming enactment of a new bill on financial consumer protection.

The Korean Federation of Banks suggested specific midterm targets.

“(Financial companies) need to enhance their global competitiveness by expanding their overseas business,” said KFB Chairman Kim Tae-young.

Overseas business currently accounts for 5 per cent of Korean banks’ total assets and 7 per cent of their net profit, according to KFB data.

Citing the so-called 10-20-30 strategy, Kim urged local banks to improve those figures to 20 per cent or more within the next 10 years and recommended that top-tier financial groups aim for 30 trillion won ($25.9 billion) in market capitalisation.

The Korea Herald/Asia News Network

02-Jan-2020 Intellasia | KoreaTimes | 6:02 AM

The Bank of Korea (BOK) will continue an accommodative monetary policy in 2020, as external trade uncertainties will keep holding back a short-term economic rebound here, BOK Governor Lee Ju-yeol said in a New Year’s address, Tuesday.

“Our monetary policy should be carried out in a way to support the economic recovery and stabilise prices,” he said. “We need to keep relaxing currency policies, as economic growth here in 2020 will likely fall below our expectation.”

The outlook came in response to the prolonged economic slowdown. In October, Lee also expressed his pessimistic view for the economy to achieve its 2-percent growth target during a regular National Assembly audit.

To revitalise the sagging economy, the BOK cut its key interest rate to an all-time low of 1.25 percent, October 16. The central bank also kept the rate unchanged during the final rate-setting meeting in November 2019.

Lee said the central bank would decide on the level of monetary easing in accordance with how the external risk factors unfold.

“To be specific, the prolonged trade feud between the US and China, even if they have recently made some progress, comes as a geopolitical risk for the local economy,” he said. “On the domestic front, we have to raise concerns over weakening growth engines here due to such factors as the low birthrate, aging society and social polarisation.”

On top of that, the Korean economy cannot rely on export-driven growth amid the weakening of global value chain dynamics that resulted in the economic slowdown here and abroad, according to him.

To tackle the pessimistic outlook for an economic rebound in 2020, the BOK stressed the need to enhance its capability for precise diagnosis and prediction of the economic trend.

“The BOK should be capable of accurately analysing economic conditions by utilising latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data,” he said.

The governor went on to urge his staff to spare no efforts in embracing the era of digital currency.

“The BOK should not remain negligent in research and development for innovative payment technologies,” he said.

Toward the end, the chief of the central bank said it would continue to enhance research manpower on the central bank digital currency (CBDC).

With the rise of cryptocurrency, the CBDC is the talk of global financial authorities and central banks. Some countries, such as China, are in an advanced level of talks before issuing government-controlled digital currencies.

Yoon Suk-heun, governor of the Financial Supervisory Service, also reaffirmed the willingness to push for policies to eliminate potential risk factors which will get in the way of the economy recovery.

“We need to strengthen our expertise in finding out financial risks beforehand and come up with countermeasures,” he said in a New Year’s address.

Financial Services Commission Chair Eun Sung-soo also shared its 2020 goal of promoting small and medium-sized companies for the longer-term economic growth here.

“A series of relaxing monetary policies here and abroad added more liquidity to the market, but the capital was used in an unproductive manner in areas, such as real estate, which did little good to economic efficiency here,” he said. “We are going to supply small venture firms, rather than households, with the capital.”

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2019/12/367_281170.html

Category: Korea

The state-by-state winning lottery numbers through Wednesday:

4-9-9

(four, nine, nine)

01-04-14-15-36

(one, four, fourteen, fifteen, thirty-six)

Estimated jackpot: $233,000

10-20-25-28-34-42

(ten, twenty, twenty-five, twenty-eight, thirty-four, forty-two)

Estimated jackpot: $3.3 million

12-15-20-23-25-30

(twelve, fifteen, twenty, twenty-three, twenty-five, thirty)

Estimated jackpot: $1.74 million

9-0-9

(nine, zero, nine)

0-6-1

(zero, six, one)

2-6-7-3

(two, six, seven, three)

3-9-8-6

(three, nine, eight, six)

12-14-27-31-35

(twelve, fourteen, twenty-seven, thirty-one, thirty-five)

Estimated jackpot: $65,000

6-5-1

(six, five, one)

3-7-2

(three, seven, two)

1-7-1-5

(one, seven, one, five)

1st:4 Big Ben-2nd:10 Solid Gold-3rd:11 Money Bags, Race Time: 1:46.60

(1st: 4 Big Ben, 2nd: 10 Solid Gold, 3rd: 11 Money Bags; Race Time: one: 46.60)

Estimated jackpot: $86,000

04-18-24-37-38

(four, eighteen, twenty-four, thirty-seven, thirty-eight)

Estimated jackpot: $75,000

04-09-17-35-40, Mega Ball: 8

(four, nine, seventeen, thirty-five, forty; Mega Ball: eight)

Estimated jackpot: $9 million

01-14-19-24-25

(one, fourteen, nineteen, twenty-four, twenty-five)

Estimated jackpot: $20,000

04-06-14-17-18-30

(four, six, fourteen, seventeen, eighteen, thirty)

01-09-10-19-25-36

(one, nine, ten, nineteen, twenty-five, thirty-six)

1-8-2

(one, eight, two)

2-5-2

(two, five, two)

02-10-13-24-27

(two, ten, thirteen, twenty-four, twenty-seven)

02-06-07-11-12-15-17-19

(two, six, seven, eleven, twelve, fifteen, seventeen, nineteen)

01-02-04-07-12-13-16-22

(one, two, four, seven, twelve, thirteen, sixteen, twenty-two)

6-3-2

(six, three, two)

3-3-4

(three, three, four)

5-8-2-4

(five, eight, two, four)

6-8-7-2

(six, eight, seven, two)

16-25-27-29-31-33

(sixteen, twenty-five, twenty-seven, twenty-nine, thirty-one, thirty-three)

Estimated jackpot: $71,000

7-0-2

(seven, zero, two)

6-3-9

(six, three, nine)

4-7-2-3

(four, seven, two, three)

9-7-1-5

(nine, seven, one, five)

2-9

(two, nine)

5-2

(five, two)

3-1-3

(three, one, three)

4-8-7

(four, eight, seven)

7-9-9-1

(seven, nine, nine, one)

7-3-4-6

(seven, three, four, six)

9-3-7-5-9

(nine, three, seven, five, nine)

1-7-3-4-8

(one, seven, three, four, eight)

03-05-06-22-23

(three, five, six, twenty-two, twenty-three)

03-05-15-18-30-31

(three, five, fifteen, eighteen, thirty, thirty-one)

Estimated jackpot: $2.5 million

03

(three)

4-4

(four, four)

0-6

(zero, six)

9-3-1

(nine, three, one)

4-3-0

(four, three, zero)

2-6-3-6

(two, six, three, six)

7-3-4-9

(seven, three, four, nine)

4-6-0-9-4

(four, six, zero, nine, four)

0-0-2-3-6

(zero, zero, two, three, six)

7-5-3

(seven, five, three)

9-8-0

(nine, eight, zero)

6-7-1

(six, seven, one)

8-9-4-6

(eight, nine, four, six)

9-7-6-3

(nine, seven, six, three)

2-3-5-6

(two, three, five, six)

05-11-29-33-39

(five, eleven, twenty-nine, thirty-three, thirty-nine)

Estimated jackpot: $150,000

4-2-9-1-8

(four, two, nine, one, eight)

4-6-5-9-6

(four, six, five, nine, six)

12-18-22-37-44

(twelve, eighteen, twenty-two, thirty-seven, forty-four)

Estimated jackpot: $242,000

3-8-4

(three, eight, four)

2-3-2

(two, three, two)

04-14-23-26-28

(four, fourteen, twenty-three, twenty-six, twenty-eight)

07-08-26-37-44

(seven, eight, twenty-six, thirty-seven, forty-four)

16-19-22-32-42

(sixteen, nineteen, twenty-two, thirty-two, forty-two)

Estimated jackpot: $200,000

02-05-06-08-10-13-17-26-28-32-37-41-48-49-52-53-64-73-74-75, BE: 8

(two, five, six, eight, ten, thirteen, seventeen, twenty-six, twenty-eight, thirty-two, thirty-seven, forty-one, forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty-two, fifty-three, sixty-four, seventy-three, seventy-four, seventy-five; BE: eight)

4-2-0, SB: 8

(four, two, zero; SB: eight)

9-5-6, SB: 1

(nine, five, six; SB: one)

6-5-3-9, SB: 8

(six, five, three, nine; SB: eight)

2-1-1-7, SB: 1

(two, one, one, seven; SB: one)

9-5-6

(nine, five, six)

4-2-0

(four, two, zero)

2-1-1-7

(two, one, one, seven)

6-5-3-9

(six, five, three, nine)

0-7-7

(zero, seven, seven)

6-1-3

(six, one, three)

12-20-22-29-32, Cash Ball: 3

(twelve, twenty, twenty-two, twenty-nine, thirty-two; Cash Ball: three)

Estimated jackpot: $260,000

AC-JD-QS-4S-8S

(AC, JD, QS, 4S, 8S)

08-19-28-31, Cash Ball: 5

(eight, nineteen, twenty-eight, thirty-one; Cash Ball: five)

7-0-3

(seven, zero, three)

3-8-2

(three, eight, two)

1-3-4-7

(one, three, four, seven)

2-4-8-0

(two, four, eight, zero)

02-19-24-28, Bonus: 3

(two, nineteen, twenty-four, twenty-eight; Bonus: three)

03-08-13-30-37

(three, eight, thirteen, thirty, thirty-seven)

Estimated jackpot: $50,000

01-16-18-23-31-36

(one, sixteen, eighteen, twenty-three, thirty-one, thirty-six)

Estimated jackpot: $325,000

7-7-7

(seven, seven, seven)

0-3-0-8

(zero, three, zero, eight)

QS-8C-10D-3H-4H

(QS, 8C, 10D, 3H, 4H)

QS-AS-3C-8D-7S

(QS, AS, 3C, 8D, 7S)

03-10-18-36-38, Bonus: 25

(three, ten, eighteen, thirty-six, thirty-eight; Bonus: twenty-five)

0-8-3

(zero, eight, three)

3-0-9

(three, zero, nine)

0-4-0-5

(zero, four, zero, five)

3-9-1-3

(three, nine, one, three)

03-13-14-28-33

(three, thirteen, fourteen, twenty-eight, thirty-three)

02-10-14-15-25-48

(two, ten, fourteen, fifteen, twenty-five, forty-eight)

Estimated jackpot: $8.3 million

4-8-4-3

(four, eight, four, three)

9-3-4-8

(nine, three, four, eight)

11-18-19-21-26-45

(eleven, eighteen, nineteen, twenty-one, twenty-six, forty-five)

Estimated jackpot: $1.3 million

QD-AD-4D-5D-6D

(QD, AD, 4D, 5D, 6D)

5-0-3

(five, zero, three)

0-9-7-7

(zero, nine, seven, seven)

6-7-4

(six, seven, four)

7-6-7-3

(seven, six, seven, three)

01-04-19-29-32

(one, four, nineteen, twenty-nine, thirty-two)

Estimated jackpot: $192,000

01-05-06-11-15-20-24-25-30-33-34-35-42-43-44-48-52-54-55-58-76-77

(one, five, six, eleven, fifteen, twenty, twenty-four, twenty-five, thirty, thirty-three, thirty-four, thirty-five, forty-two, forty-three, forty-four, forty-eight, fifty-two, fifty-four, fifty-five, fifty-eight, seventy-six, seventy-seven)

9-0-1

(nine, zero, one)

03-16-24-33-46

(three, sixteen, twenty-four, thirty-three, forty-six)

Estimated jackpot: $110,000

07-11-14-15-18

(seven, eleven, fourteen, fifteen, eighteen)

Estimated jackpot: $25,000

04-05-09-15-35-40

(four, five, nine, fifteen, thirty-five, forty)

Estimated jackpot: $1 million

3-4-9

(three, four, nine)

2-8-8

(two, eight, eight)

7-7-7-8

(seven, seven, seven, eight)

7-5-4-7

(seven, five, four, seven)

04-06-19-30-34

(four, six, nineteen, thirty, thirty-four)

Estimated jackpot: $50,000

06-16-23-27, Bonus: 11

(six, sixteen, twenty-three, twenty-seven; Bonus: eleven)

04-18-20-26-30

(four, eighteen, twenty, twenty-six, thirty)

Estimated jackpot: $50,000

Month: 4, Day: 21, Year: 86

(Month: four; Day: twenty-one; Year: eighty-six)

3-4-5

(three, four, five)

13-14-22-26-31

(thirteen, fourteen, twenty-two, twenty-six, thirty-one)

Estimated jackpot: $66,000

JH-6D-3H-6H-6S

(JH, 6D, 3H, 6H, 6S)

8-9-3, Fireball: 9

(eight, nine, three; Fireball: nine)

5-6-5-8, Fireball: 9

(five, six, five, eight; Fireball: nine)

03-20-25-26-41, Xtra: 2

(three, twenty, twenty-five, twenty-six, forty-one; Xtra: two)

Estimated jackpot: $75,000

6-8-0, Fireball: 2

(six, eight, zero; Fireball: two)

9-5-4-9, Fireball: 2

(nine, five, four, nine; Fireball: two)

2-1-4

(two, one, four)

8-8-1

(eight, eight, one)

9-1-9-2

(nine, one, nine, two)

8-2-0-1

(eight, two, zero, one)

05-06-07-14-24

(five, six, seven, fourteen, twenty-four)

Estimated jackpot: $98,000

7-8-4

(seven, eight, four)

5-7-3-7

(five, seven, three, seven)

5-4-3

(five, four, three)

5-4-7-9

(five, four, seven, nine)

09-18-19-27-30

(nine, eighteen, nineteen, twenty-seven, thirty)

06-09-10-13-15-22-37-42-43-48-55-56-57-58-62-66-72-75-76-78

(six, nine, ten, thirteen, fifteen, twenty-two, thirty-seven, forty-two, forty-three, forty-eight, fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven, fifty-eight, sixty-two, sixty-six, seventy-two, seventy-five, seventy-six, seventy-eight)

13-14-28-50-51-56, Bonus: 46

(thirteen, fourteen, twenty-eight, fifty, fifty-one, fifty-six; Bonus: forty-six)

Estimated jackpot: $2.9 million

03-06-18-28-43

(three, six, eighteen, twenty-eight, forty-three)

Estimated jackpot: $134,000

7-1-2, Lucky Sum: 10

(seven, one, two; Lucky Sum: ten)

8-4-5, Lucky Sum: 17

(eight, four, five; Lucky Sum: seventeen)

8-1-2-3, Lucky Sum: 14

(eight, one, two, three; Lucky Sum: fourteen)

7-5-6-0, Lucky Sum: 18

(seven, five, six, zero; Lucky Sum: eighteen)

06-07-20-37-42-48, Kicker: 1-5-7-5-5-5

(six, seven, twenty, thirty-seven, forty-two, forty-eight; Kicker: one, five, seven, five, five, five)

Estimated jackpot: $7.7 million

9-3-3

(nine, three, three)

3-4-2

(three, four, two)

5-1-9-0

(five, one, nine, zero)

1-3-7-3

(one, three, seven, three)

7-9-7-4-6

(seven, nine, seven, four, six)

4-4-5-3-0

(four, four, five, three, zero)

06-15-30-34-38

(six, fifteen, thirty, thirty-four, thirty-eight)

Estimated jackpot: $100,000

03-07-12-13-24

(three, seven, twelve, thirteen, twenty-four)

1-8-1

(one, eight, one)

03-08-12-15-FREE-17-22-26-30

(three, eight, twelve, fifteen, FREE, seventeen, twenty-two, twenty-six, thirty)

Estimated jackpot: $45,000

01-02-26-32-44-45

(one, two, twenty-six, thirty-two, forty-four, forty-five)

Estimated jackpot: $8.1 million

5-4-7-8

(five, four, seven, eight)

9-1-7-0

(nine, one, seven, zero)

9-5-8-6

(nine, five, eight, six)

3-5-3-4

(three, five, three, four)

10-53-66-76

(ten, fifty-three, sixty-six, seventy-six)

08-18-22-29-35

(eight, eighteen, twenty-two, twenty-nine, thirty-five)

Estimated jackpot: $125,000

03-06-12-24-28-39

(three, six, twelve, twenty-four, twenty-eight, thirty-nine)

Estimated jackpot: $770,000

2-4, Wild: 3

(two, four; Wild: three)

1-7, Wild: 3

(one, seven; Wild: three)

8-5-9, Wild: 3

(eight, five, nine; Wild: three)

4-5-4, Wild: 3

(four, five, four; Wild: three)

1-3-8-8, Wild: 3

(one, three, eight, eight; Wild: three)

5-5-7-8, Wild: 3

(five, five, seven, eight; Wild: three)

6-9-0-9-9, Wild: 3

(six, nine, zero, nine, nine; Wild: three)

4-8-3-0-9, Wild: 3

(four, eight, three, zero, nine; Wild: three)

08-11-14-19-24

(eight, eleven, fourteen, nineteen, twenty-four)

Estimated jackpot: $107,000

3-5-6-3

(three, five, six, three)

7-4-2-4

(seven, four, two, four)

14-16-33-37-38, Power-Up: 3

(fourteen, sixteen, thirty-three, thirty-seven, thirty-eight; Power, Up: three)

2-5-6

(two, five, six)

9-0-9

(nine, zero, nine)

3-3-6-4

(three, three, six, four)

2-9-1-5

(two, nine, one, five)

04-09-14-19-25

(four, nine, fourteen, nineteen, twenty-five)

Estimated jackpot: $20,000

2-5-0, Lucky Sum: 7

(two, five, zero; Lucky Sum: seven)

6-3-8, Lucky Sum: 17

(six, three, eight; Lucky Sum: seventeen)

4-2-5, Lucky Sum: 11

(four, two, five; Lucky Sum: eleven)

9-5-8-5, Lucky Sum: 27

(nine, five, eight, five; Lucky Sum: twenty-seven)

4-2-2-1, Lucky Sum: 9

(four, two, two, one; Lucky Sum: nine)

7-6-6-8, Lucky Sum: 27

(seven, six, six, eight; Lucky Sum: twenty-seven)

05-11-12-22-23, Bonus: 3

(five, eleven, twelve, twenty-two, twenty-three; Bonus: three)

Estimated jackpot: $520,000

01-03-05-06-07-08-10-14-15-19-20-24

(one, three, five, six, seven, eight, ten, fourteen, fifteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-four)

01-02-03-06-11-13-14-15-18-19-21-24

(one, two, three, six, eleven, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty-one, twenty-four)

01-03-05-10-11-15-16-17-18-20-21-23

(one, three, five, ten, eleven, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-three)

01-03-05-07-08-09-10-12-13-16-19-22

(one, three, five, seven, eight, nine, ten, twelve, thirteen, sixteen, nineteen, twenty-two)

01-07-09-20-24

(one, seven, nine, twenty, twenty-four)

6-4-2-8, FIREBALL: 6

(six, four, two, eight; FIREBALL: six)

5-4-7-3, FIREBALL: 3

(five, four, seven, three; FIREBALL: three)

0-3-0-4, FIREBALL: 6

(zero, three, zero, four; FIREBALL: six)

0-7-9-9, FIREBALL:

(zero, seven, nine, nine; FIREBALL: zero)

03-04-13-19-35-37

(three, four, thirteen, nineteen, thirty-five, thirty-seven)

Estimated jackpot: $15.5 million

1-5-8, FIREBALL: 4

(one, five, eight; FIREBALL: four)

4-8-4, FIREBALL: 7

(four, eight, four; FIREBALL: seven)

2-5-5, FIREBALL: 4

(two, five, five; FIREBALL: four)

6-1-4, FIREBALL: 8

(six, one, four; FIREBALL: eight)

03-10-11-24-32-33, Bonus: 37

(three, ten, eleven, twenty-four, thirty-two, thirty-three; Bonus: thirty-seven)

18-26-28-31-32

(eighteen, twenty-six, twenty-eight, thirty-one, thirty-two)

02-14-23-25-26

(two, fourteen, twenty-three, twenty-five, twenty-six)

6-5-0

(six, five, zero)

8-2-6

(eight, two, six)

5-8-3-4

(five, eight, three, four)

3-4-6-6

(three, four, six, six)

7-7-3

(seven, seven, three)

12-16-24-30-38

(twelve, sixteen, twenty-four, thirty, thirty-eight)

Estimated jackpot: $290,000

03-04-08-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-31-50-61-63-65-66-75-80

(three, four, eight, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three, thirty-one, fifty, sixty-one, sixty-three, sixty-five, sixty-six, seventy-five, eighty)

15-17-18-32-34-43

(fifteen, seventeen, eighteen, thirty-two, thirty-four, forty-three)

Estimated jackpot: $2 million

02-04-13-24

(two, four, thirteen, twenty-four)

4-7-9

(four, seven, nine)

3-4-5-7

(three, four, five, seven)

01-02-04-05-10-14-15-16-18-19-22

(one, two, four, five, ten, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, eighteen, nineteen, twenty-two)

07-09-29-32-39-47

(seven, nine, twenty-nine, thirty-two, thirty-nine, forty-seven)

Estimated jackpot: $7.7 million

02-25-31-34-35-36, Doubler: N

(two, twenty-five, thirty-one, thirty-four, thirty-five, thirty-six; Doubler: N)

09-16-18-22-27

(nine, sixteen, eighteen, twenty-two, twenty-seven)

Estimated jackpot: $51,000

1-3-3

(one, three, three)

6-9-4-3

(six, nine, four, three)

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Lisa lost her father in May 2019 (Picture: Rex/@lisaarmstrong)

Lisa Armstrong has shared an emotional tribute to her late father Derek, revealing the tattoo she got inked in his honour.

The makeup artist, who was previously married to Ant McPartlin, lost her father back in May 2019 to cancer.

Sharing a snap of her dad, she wrote: ‘Always with me and forever in my heart….. #dad #RIP #Theydaythefirstisthehardest #hurls #ohana.’

The 43-year-old also shared a photo of her tattoo, which reads ‘Ohana’ (Hawaiian for ‘family’).

Her friends sent supportive messages, with Alan Carr telling her: ‘Aww bless you! Stay strong,’ while Strictly’s Katya Jones commented heart emojis.

Lisa has been in the midst of a divorce from her ex-husband Ant, with it recently being claimed that she would be ‘crushed’ if he proposes to his girlfriend Anne-Marie Corbett.

‘Lisa feels as if every time something good happens right now Ant manages to ruin it,’ an insider told The Sun. ‘She is preparing herself for an announcement in the New Year that Ant and Anne Marie are engaged.

The tattoo means ‘family’ (Picture: @LisaArmstrong)

‘She knows it’ll be crushing but she’s anticipating it which she hopes won’t be as much of a blow if it does.’

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The make-up artist, 43, and I’m A Celebrity presenter, 44, divorced in October 2018 after 23 years together, with Ant moving on with his former assistant Anne-Marie shortly after announcing their split in early 2018.

The Geordie TV star now lives with Anne-Marie in a £6 million London pad with her two children and their dogs.

They officially divorced in October last year, but they’ve still in the process of dividing up their assets.

Ant and Lisa were together for 23 years (Picture: Getty Images)

However, Lisa’s not standing for any comments from trolls about their situation.

The make-up artist responded to a fan’s tweet which read: ‘How can 31 million, not be enough for you?! It’s enough for both me and my family put together for life. Just sayin’.

Lisa responded: ‘Don’t believe the lies #justsaying’.

She is said to have turned down a multi-million pound settlement offer from Ant to get their divorce finalised, in favour of having her day in court instead.

Got a showbiz story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.

MORE: Lisa Armstrong ‘will be crushed’ if ex-husband Ant McPartlin proposes to Anne-Marie Corbett at Christmas

MORE: Strictly’s Lisa Armstrong seeks energy hit with Lucozade as she’s spotted on break

15-Jan-2020 Intellasia | KoreaTimes | 6:02 AM

South Korean leader hints at seeking exemption from US sanctions

President Moon Jae-in said during a New Year press conference at Cheong Wa Dae, Tuesday, that he remains positive about the US-North Korea denuclearisation talks as the leaders of the two countries are still open for dialogue.

The South Korean leader also cited the need to apply for a partial exemption to UN sanctions for more engagement with North Korea and to move the US-North Korea negotiations forward.

Despite the deadlock between Pyongyang and Washington, Moon stressed a positive outlook, defying the mounting concerns that the past two years of talks between the two foes in the Korean War will ultimately fail to end North Korea’s nuclear programmes.

“Regarding the South-North or North Korea-US talks, it is neither time to be optimistic or pessimistic,” Moons said.

He acknowledged the controversy regarding US President Donald Trump’s birthday message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. “When my national security adviser Chung Eui-yong visited the US for a Korea-US-Japan security meeting, President Trump called in Chung unannounced and asked him to deliver the birthday wishes. President Trump must have thought that this was not enough, so he also sent a letter to Kim,” Moon said.

“I think this is a very positive development. It was a very good idea to stress the resolution for dialogue by sending the congratulatory message. Upon receiving the letter, North Korea also reiterated the close relationship between the two leaders and made it clear that it had not closed the door completely on dialogue, although it did attach a precondition that its demands must be met.”

“At the time of the letter, the US was facing a lot of complex situations, including the conflict with Iran, and the fact Trump sent Kim a birthday message means that President Trump still regards North Korea as the most important issue on his diplomatic agenda.”

The President repeated his stance on promoting active engagement with North Korea this year, which was contained in his New Year address delivered last week. In this regard, the South Korean leader mentioned the need to ease some of the UN sanctions imposed on the reclusive regime.

“I believe we can make efforts for exceptions from UN sanctions if necessary,” Moon said. “Rather than looking just at US-North Korea talks, we should do as much as we can to expand inter-Korean cooperation. This will also be helpful in promoting US-North Korea dialogue.”

He mentioned sports and tourism exchanges as well as starting cooperation at the inter-Korean border as some of the ways to expand inter-Korean cooperation within the boundaries of the sanctions.

Moon called on the US to consider a different approach from its focus on sanctions. “The US needs to continuously seek new ideas, in close cooperation with South Korea, for a breakthrough in the US-North Korea talks,” the President said.

He showed a negative response to criticism that his recent call for expediting engagement with North Korea was being snubbed by Pyongyang. “In inter-Korean diplomacy, there is much more than what is actually visible.

“Inter-Korean relations are facing difficulties as they coincide with the stalemate in the North-US dialogue, but I am pushing forward with an optimistic view that efforts to work together through dialogue are continuing and can produce good results.”

Korea-US alliance

Concerns have been rising about the health of Korea-US alliance due to complex bilateral issues, such as the defense cost-sharing negotiations and the U.S pressure on Korea to join its naval mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Moon sought to assuage these concerns by underlining that the Korea-US alliance remains “stronger than ever with close communication and cooperation.”

“Close communication and cooperation have led to the improvement of inter-Korean relations and resulted in US-North Korea dialogue,” Moon added. “Looking back at 2017 at the height of the crisis on the Korean Peninsula following Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile tests, I had three summits with President Trump and talked on the phone with him seven times. Through these, we came to a decision to postpone a joint Korea-US military exercise to pave the way for North Korea’s participation in the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games. After this, inter-Korean dialogue began, which led to the talks between North Korea and the US”

Currently, the biggest issue between Korea and the US is the Special Measures Agreement (SMA) negotiations to determine Korea’s share of costs for maintaining US troops here and the possible dispatch of a Korean naval unit to the Strait of Hormuz to joining a US-led mission.

“Regarding the Hormuz question, there are complex factors to be considered. We need to think about our alliance with the US as well as our relations with Iran. We will take all of these into consideration as we look for a realistic solution.”

On the defense costs, Moon stressed the need for an “equitable share.” “This is the only way it will be approved by the people and the National Assembly,” he noted.

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2020/01/356_281934.html

Category: Korea

DETROIT – A homicide investigation started Wednesday after the body of a man was found just before noon.

According to authorities, the body of a man in his 20s was found in the 9100 block of Monica Street, near the intersection of Livernois and Joy Road.

Police said the man had been shot.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-2260.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan's top military official was among eight people killed in an air force helicopter crash in mountainous terrain outside Taipei on Thursday, the defense ministry said. Five others survived.

As chief of the general staff, Gen. Shen Yi-ming was responsible for overseeing the self-governing island's defense against China, which threatens to use military force if necessary to annex what it considers part of its territory.

The helicopter was flying from Taipei to the northeastern city of Ilan for a New Year's activity when it crashed. The victims included other senior military officials and the two pilots.

The UH-60M Blackhawk with 13 people on board dropped from the radar screen 10 minutes after takeoff from Songshan air force base around 7:50 a.m., Taiwan's defense ministry said. It went down in the mountainous, heavily forested Wulai area southeast of the capital.

Shen, 63, had taken over as chief of the general staff in July after serving as commander of Taiwan’s air force, which is undergoing a substantial upgrade with the arrival of the most advanced version of the U.S. F-16V fighter.

Alexander Huang, a strategic studies professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan who had known Shen for a decade, said he had stood out as a pilot and an officer.

“He was very calm and very stable and unlike other army guys he was always smiling, so he got a specific leadership style that also made him a popular leader in the entire military,” Huang said.

It will likely be months before the cause of the crash is known, but the pilots appeared to have been highly experienced.

“Of course, reasonable people would think in the direction of mechanical failure or maintenance problem, but without proof you can’t say anything," Huang said.

A special government committee will look into the cause of the crash, a defense ministry statement said.

Taiwan's military has operated Blackhawk helicopters for decades and completed a sale for another 60 UH-Ms from the U.S. for $3.1 billion i n 2010. The one that crashed was a model dedicated to search and rescue and had been delivered in 2018, according to the ministry.

The loss of Shen and other high-ranking officials will require a rapid reshuffle of positions, but should have minimal effect on Taiwan's Jan. 11 elections for president and lawmakers, said Andrew Yang, a former deputy defense minister who said Shen was highly respected throughout his career.

“I don’t think the crash will have a strong impact over the elections but certainly it will affect the armed forces because so many senior officers passed away as a result of this crash," he said.

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party said in a statement on social media that all its public campaign events from now through Saturday would be cancelled.

"The loss of pillars of our country make us feel endless sorrow," the statement read.

The party has been strongly critical of China's attempts to increase economic, military and diplomatic pressure. Incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen appears on track to win a second term over her more pro-China opponent, Han Kuo-yu of the main opposition Nationalists.

Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Question:
(CNN) Is it really New Year's Day without the Rose Parade?

In its 131st year, the parade unleashed a vibrant spectacle of flower-studded floats through Pasadena, California. There were horses, marching bands, live music and dancing in the streets and, of course, ornate works of art.

Here are a few of the most colorful, festive floats of the 2020 Rose Parade. (The party's not over -- the Rose Bowl college football match-up starts at 5 p.m. on ESPN.)

Fantastic floats

Amazon, Chipotle and Trader Joe's were among the 2020 parade participants. The most fantastic floats earned awards based on their design, presentation and entertainment value.

PASADENA, Calif. (KTLA) — The iconic Southern California New Year’s tradition — the Rose Parade — runs along a 5 1/2-mile route in Pasadena and this year includes 39 floral-decorated floats, 20 marching bands, 17 equestrians units, and of course the Royal Court and Rose Queen.

Put on by the Tournament of Roses, the 131st Rose Parade begins at 8 a.m. PT Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. This year marks the 73rd consecutive television broadcast of the Rose Parade on KTLA.

The theme for the 2020 parade is “The Power of Hope,” which the tournament says “celebrates the influence of optimism and hope.”

The three grand marshals are Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez, actress Gina Torres and prolific performer Rita Moreno.

The 102nd Rose Queen is Camille Kennedy of Pasadena, a senior at La Salle College Preparatory.

KTLA’s hosts for the broadcast are Leeza Gibbons, Mark Steines and Micah Ohlman.

If you’re a particular fan of one of the marching bands in the parade, you can watch the “Band Cam” — a raw, unedited feed devoted to the bands — on KTLA’s Facebook page. The parade will be available to watch on demand on KTLA’s YouTube page.

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The Flathead County Commission voted unanimously to declare a state of emergency on Wednesday in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Although there are no cases of the virus, also known as COVID-19, in Northwest Montana, local officials have been preparing for the possibility that someone will be diagnosed with it.

Last week, the commission voted to appoint Flathead City-County Public Health Officer Hillary Hanson as incident commander for the county’s response to the virus that has sickened thousands across the country. This week, an incident management team, similar to what would respond to a wildfire, was set up at the Flathead County Office of Emergency Services.

Hanson requested the emergency declaration so that the county could access special funding from local, state and federal resources.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced a statewide emergency last week.

If people want more information about the impacts of coronavirus in Flathead County, they are encouraged to call a newly established information line at (406) 751-8188 or visit https://flatheadhealth.org/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/.

Mitigating Threats To Bhutan’s Beloved National Animal - The Takin

Takins are strictly protected under Schedule I of the Forests and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995.

(Source: Deng Jianxin)

By Choki Wangmo | Kuensel

Human-induced changes are threatening the habitats of Bhutan’s national animal - the takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei).

According to the first national report on takin by the forest department, linear infrastructure such as the expansion of road and transmission lines as well as improper land-use planning were found to hinder wildlife movement and disturb prime habitats of the species,

The infrastructure developments, if left unchecked, could cause unforeseeable risks to their habitats.

Legend of the takin

There is an interesting myth behind the creation of the Takin, which contributed to its religious significance and adoption as Bhutan’s national animal.

Source: Youtube/Bong Travel o Explore

Legend has it that in the 15th century, when Lam Drukpa Kunley (also referred to as ‘The Divine Madman’), arrived in Bhutan from Tibet, he delivered religious teachings to the people, whereupon they requested him to conjure up a miracle.

Lam Drukpa Kunley agreed, on the condition that he would be fed a massive lunch – a whole cow and a whole goat, which the people dutifully brought.

The Tibetan saint devoured the flesh of both the animals and left out the bones. Thereafter, he fixed the head of the goat onto the body of the cow and with a snap of his fingers uttered a mantra.

The animal sprang to life instantly and started grazing in the meadows. Lam Drukpa Kunley then named it the ‘Dong Gyem Tsey’ (Takin).

Where are takins found?

The takin found in Bhutan is actually one out of four sub-species. It is a large bovid ungulate found along the warm broad-leaved forests throughout the alpine region (between the altitudinal range of 1,200m in warm broadleaved forests to 5,374m in northern Bhutan).

Bhutan’s takin migrates from alpine valleys to lower forests in autumn and return to the summer habitats in early spring.

The species has been reportedly seen in Xizang, China and Sikkim, as well as Arunachal Pradesh in India. Its population is estimated to be between 500-700 individuals.

Takins are found in steep forests extending to the timberline and mountain valleys in the Eastern Himalayas as well as the adjoining mountain ranges of Bhutan, India, Myanmar, and China.

Map: Research Gate/Tiger Sangay & Karl Vernes (Dec 2016)

The animal is mostly found in the Jigme Dorji National Park and Wangchuck Centennial National Park. However, the takin can also be seen roaming in the forest divisions of Bhutan’s districts of Paro, Thimphu, and Wangdue.

The report also stated that the winter habitats of the takin were highly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressure due to its closer proximity to human settlements.

“Building roads closer to or within the takin habitats will not only alter the animal behaviour but will also fragment the habitats.”

Recommended solutions to mitigate negative impact of development on takins

To deter negative impact within their habitats, the study recommended that the government should focus on maintaining the existing farm roads rather than building new roads.

“If a new construction is required, it should be cost-effective and environmentally less damaging.”

The current method of ‘cut-fill’ construction involved high costs and is not environmentally friendly.

Experts documented the indirect impact of such developments on wildlife such as: physical barrier for movement and dispersal as well as the displacement and change in habits.

Takins generally prefer continuous gentle terrain and an undisturbed habitat for foraging, finding mates and for their long-term sustenance.

Therefore, low-altitude forested habitats outside protected areas should be incorporated into the takin management plan. These forests should also be protected as takin habitats, according to the report.

Threats to the existence of takins in Bhutan

As takins live in remote areas, far away from high-density human settlements, it increases poaching risk.

Moreover, they are also susceptible to snaring, illegal trapping and disturbance from feral dogs.

The population of takins is found to be decreasing. This is attributed to threats from deforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting, zoonotic disease transmission, and competition for food from domestic livestock.

Steps have been taken to conserve the species. Bhutan's takin was declared the national animal of Bhutan in 1985 and is strictly protected under Schedule I of the Forests and Nature Conservation Act of Bhutan 1995.

In addition, the takin has also been categorised as ‘vulnerable’ in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List.

This article first appeared in Kuensel and has been edited for Daily Bhutan.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are promoting the work of a journalist-run Instagram account that focuses on positive news stories globally as part of their work into the New Year.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will 'shine a spotlight' on the @goodnews_movement as they choose a different Instagram account each month to remind followers of 'all the good that is happening in the world.'

It comes just one day after Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, shared an unseen picture of baby Archie in a highlight reel of their top moments of 2019.

Their latest post on their official lnstagram account read: 'Happy New Year! For 2020 we will be continuing our tradition of highlighting accounts that inspire, and that remind us of all the good that is happening in the world.

Harry and Meghan with their baby son Archie meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu during their trip to South Africa

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will 'shine a spotlight' on the @goodnews_movement as they choose a different Instagram account each month to remind followers of 'all the good that is happening in the world.' They made the announcement on their Instagram account

'However, this time we will be focusing on just one account each month. For January, we would like to shine a spotlight on @goodnews_movement.

'This journalist run-page covers and celebrates acts of kindness and good news in our global community. We hope it brings you joy!'

Who is the Instagram account's founder Michelle Figueroa? Michelle Figueroa is Boston correspondent for CNN's Spanish-speaking news service, CNNEE. She also contributes to a number of other outlets, including CNN, AJ+, Discovery, PBS and the New York Post. Figueroa speaks three languages, English, Spanish and Portuguese, and lists her skills as 'finding unique and sometimes untold stories'. Advertisement

The goodnews_movement, which has 189,000 followers, describes itself as a journalist-run page for 'good news only' which celebrates community heroes and acts of kindness across the globe.

The page was founded by Michelle Figueroa, the Boston correspondent for CNN's Spanish-speaking news service.

Recent stories that it covers include plans by Greyhound to give homeless, young people free tickets to return home or to a safe place, as well as other stories about donations given to refuge shelters over the Christmas period.

The Duke and Duchess rang in the New Year by hitting a staggering 10 million followers. Their Royal account broke a Guinness World Record when launching on April 2 last year.

It became the fastest Instagram profile to reach one million followers in less than six hours.

This was later beaten by Friends star Jennifer Aniston who gained a million followers in five hours and 45 minutes, upon joining the site in October.

And the most recent picture of Harry, standing by a lake in what is thought to be their Canadian hideaway on Vancouver Island, as he smiles at a beaming Archie, has been viewed over 3.4 million times since it was posted on New Years Eve.

Sharing the post, which racked up over 260,000 likes in half an hour, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex wrote: '2019 in review. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and thanking you for your continued support!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shared an unseen picture of baby Archie in a highlight reel of their top moments of 2019. The first picture shows Prince Harry standing by a lake in an unknown location, which could be Canada, as he smiles at a beaming Archie

Baby Archie was front and centre in the duke and duchess' Christmas card this year, pictured

The goodnews_movement, which has 189,000 followers, describes itself as a journalist-run page for 'good news only' which celebrates community heroes and acts of kindness

'We've loved meeting so many of you from around the world and can't wait to meet many more of you next year. We hope 2020 brings each of you health and continued happiness. - The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.'

They added: 'Special thanks to Chris Martin and Coldplay for allowing us to use one of their songs'.

Elsewhere a throwback to the 8th May shows Meghan and Harry introducing little Archie to the world at Windsor Palace.

The video offers some retrospective of the Sussexes' busy year. A picture shows the Duchess of Sussex during her pregnancy at the National Theater, on January 30, 2019.

The Instagram page founded by Michelle Figueroa, the Boston correspondent for CNN's Spanish-speaking news service

In another snap, Harry proudly stands next to Sir David Attenborough, his brother William, 37 and Prince Charles, 71, at a screening at the Natural History Museum in London for the world premiere of his new Netflix series 'Our Planet'.

The video fondly looks back on several of Harry and Meghan's joint engagements as expecting parents, like their Morocco visit in February, where they met with local children.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle spent their first Christmas with baby Archie in a $14.1 million waterfront mansion owned by a mystery multi-millionaire, DailyMail.com revealed last week.

The royal family and the Duchess of Sussex's mother Doria Ragland enjoyed time in one of the most idyllic spots on Vancouver Island.

Their presence in Canada had been confirmed before Christmas by prime minster Justin Trudeau.

The eight-bedroom gated estate on Vancouver Island, Canada, boasts two beaches and views across the peninsula from the four acre property.

Harry and Meghan's presence in North Saanich was first revealed by local restaurateur Pierre Koffel and his wife Bev, who reportedly turned away the royal couple from their high-end restaurant because of their intense security requirements.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are promoting the work of a journalist-run Instagram account that focuses on positive news stories globally as part of their work into the New Year

Koffel says he was merely visited by the royals' security team and didn't decline their reservations – but has still faced a backlash with 'hundreds' of emails and 'dozens' of phone calls from Harry and Meghan fans berating him for denying their favorite royals their Christmas dinner.

The chef and co-owner of the Deep Cove Chalet in North Saanich told DailyMail.com that he and his wife were tricked into revealing the royals' secret getaway, and have now received 'hundreds of emails, tens of phonecalls' accusing he and his wife of being 'terrible people'.

The restaurateur's wife, Bev, told the Vancouver Sun on Christmas Eve that they had been visited by Harry and Meghan's security detail, casing their restaurant for a potential dinner spot for the couple.

The royals have had an action-packed year, with the high point being the arrival of baby Archie on May 6 weighing 7lb 3oz.

Two days later baby Archie was introduced to the world at a photocall in the Castle's St George's Hall, with Meghan declaring: 'It's magic, it's pretty amazing. I have the two best guys in the world so I'm really happy.'

Keen to give him a normal life, Harry and Meghan chose not to use the courtesy title Earl Dumbarton or style him Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, making a personal decision he should be a plain Master.

Just months before Archie's arrival, Harry and Meghan undertook an official royal tour of Morocco in February.

Following his birth in the spring, the couple kept a relatively low profile over the summer, engaging in various charity visits.

Inside Archie's first Christmas: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle treated their 'confident, social butterfly' son to 'books, building blocks and a ball pit', source claims

By Jessica Green for MailOnline

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex treated their son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor to 'books, building blocks and a ball pit' for Christmas, according to a royal source.

Meghan Markle, 38, and Prince Harry, 35, reportedly 'couldn't help' but spoil the seven-month-old for his first festive big day.

Speaking to Us Weekly, the source also gave an update on the little one's budding personality, revealing Archie looks set to be a 'confident social butterfly'.

The Sussexes are currently enjoying their festive break in Canada, alongside Meghan's mother Doria Ragland.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (pictured in October with their son) treated Archie Mountbatten-Windsor to 'books, building blocks and a ball pit' for Christmas, a source claims

Revealing details of the family's first Christmas, the insider claimed: 'Archie is Meghan and Harry’s world, and they can’t help [it].

'For Christmas, they bought him books, building blocks, a baby ball pit. It’s not all about extravagant gifts for them.'

They added: 'You can tell Archie’s going to be a confident social butterfly. He loves being entertained and interacting with people.

'Some children get shy or nervous around new people, but not Archie. He’ll go to anyone without kicking up a fuss!'

Harry and Meghan spent their first Christmas with baby Archie in a $14.1 million waterfront mansion owned by a mystery multi-millionaire, DailyMail.com revealed last week.

The royal family and the Duchess of Sussex's mother Doria Ragland enjoyed time in one of the most idyllic spots on Vancouver Island.

Their presence in Canada had been confirmed before Christmas by prime minster Justin Trudeau.

The royals have had an action-packed year, with the high point being the arrival of baby Archie on May 6 weighing 7lb 3oz. Pictured: The family in South Africa in October this year

The eight-bedroom gated estate on Vancouver Island, Canada, boasts two beaches and views across the peninsula from the four acre property.

Harry and Meghan's presence in North Saanich was first revealed by local restaurateur Pierre Koffel and his wife Bev, who reportedly turned away the royal couple from their high-end restaurant because of their intense security requirements.

Koffel says he was merely visited by the royals' security team and didn't decline their reservations – but has still faced a backlash with 'hundreds' of emails and 'dozens' of phone calls from Harry and Meghan fans berating him for denying their favorite royals their Christmas dinner.

The chef and co-owner of the Deep Cove Chalet in North Saanich told DailyMail.com that he and his wife were tricked into revealing the royals' secret getaway, and have now received 'hundreds of emails, tens of phonecalls' accusing he and his wife of being 'terrible people'.

The restaurateur's wife, Bev, told the Vancouver Sun on Christmas Eve that they had been visited by Harry and Meghan's security detail, casing their restaurant for a potential dinner spot for the couple.

The royals have had an action-packed year, with the high point being the arrival of baby Archie on May 6 weighing 7lb 3oz.

Two days later baby Archie was introduced to the world at a photocall in the Castle's St George's Hall, with Meghan declaring: 'It's magic, it's pretty amazing. I have the two best guys in the world so I'm really happy.'

Keen to give him a normal life, Harry and Meghan chose not to use the courtesy title Earl Dumbarton or style him Lord Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, making a personal decision he should be a plain Master.

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Instruction: Retrieve semantically similar text.


Question:
The world saw a different side of Pope Francis on New Year’s Eve after the pontiff tore himself free from a woman who had grabbed his hand and pulled him toward her.

A woman seeking the Pope’s blessing on New Year’s Eve instead ended up enraging the pontiff after grabbing his arm to get his attention. A video of the altercation shows Francis walking through Vatican City as he greeted pilgrims. After reaching out to touch a child, a nearby woman seized his hand, jerking the religious leader around – a yank that appeared to cause him pain.

Pope Francis repeatedly SLAPS woman’s hand after she YANKS him toward herDETAILS: https://t.co/V6taO9Jc9vpic.twitter.com/Iw7KrEdyuz — RT (@RT_com) 1 января 2020 г.

After slapping her hand several times, the Pope freed himself of her grip. The usually serene Francis scowled as he walked away.

According to reports, the Pope later acknowledged that he had “lost patience” with the admiring pilgrim.

Francis has a history of repelling unwanted contact. In March, he was criticized for refusing to allow members of the faithful to kiss his papal ring during a visit to an Italian shrine.

Like this story? Share it with a friend!

Pope Francis was walking through the square in Vatican City and greeting pilgrims on his way to see the large Nativity scene set up in the huge, cobbled esplanade.

After reaching out to touch a child, the pope turned away from the crowd only for a nearby woman to seize his hand and pull her towards him. The abrupt gesture appeared to cause him pain and Francis swiftly wrenched his hand free.

The woman had made the sign of the cross as the pope had approached. It was not clear what she was saying as she subsequently tugged him towards her.

KENT COUNTY, Mich. (WXMI/CNN) - Thursday was adoption day for a Michigan boy, but it was not just him and his new family celebrating. The child had his entire class cheering them on.

Boy brings classmates to adoption ceremony (Source: CNN)

There is no doubt that 5-year-old Michael Orlando Clark Jr. will never forget this day. He was dressed to the nines and so excited he could hardly sit still as his adoption was just moments from being finalized.

Michael wanted everyone to see it, so he invited his entire kindergarten class who waved hearts and cheered him on during the ceremony.

After fostering for about a year, his parents Andrea Melvin and David Eaton knew they had found the right fit for their family.

“He brings us a lot of joy. He's just so full of energy and so full of love. It's just been great for everybody,” said Melvin.

There was no shortage of love all around them in the courtroom.

"It is a great tribute to Michael that he had so many of his classmates here and so many said he was their best friend too,” Michigan Supreme Court Justice Stephen Markman said.

"Never have I experienced that before, and it was loads of fun. The kids were into it and supporting their best friend, and the family of Michael,” said Judge Patricia Gardner.

Michael already has everything he wants this holiday season:

“Giving a kid a permanent home, a forever family, is just the best gift you can give anybody,” said Melvin.

“We've been really fortunate and just hopefully other families get to enjoy similar moments,” said Eaton.

Thirty-six kids were also adopted Thursday as part of the 23rd annual adoption day in Kent County.

Copyright 2019 WXMI via CNN. All rights reserved.

South Korea’s Celltrion, which has been building a massive biologics site in Songdo, has decided it is time to build some operations next door in China.

The biosimilar maker intends to build in China a plant capable of producing 120,000 liters so it can cash in on that market, Chairman Seo Jung-jin announced at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco, the Yonhap News Agency reports.

RELATED: Celltrion and Samsung duel shaping up as both pledge billions of dollars to biologics

“We are in the final stage of signing a contract with the Chinese government. We will soon announce details of the plant," Seo said Wednesday during the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference.

RELATED: Roche’s patent cliff just got steeper as FDA approves Celltrion’s Rituxan biosimilar Truxima

The company is conducting a Phase III trial of its biosimilar of Jansen’s Remicade in China. Celltrion also has biosimilars of Rituxan and Herceptin approved in other markets that it might take to the world’s second-largest drug market.

While short on details, Seo last year said the South Korea company intended to lay out $33.6 billion on its pharma business over the next decade. It intends to invest in its biologics operations, ingredient business, as well as artificial intelligence to create an e-commerce market for its drugs.

Prince William is kick-starting 2020 with a new drive to dispel the current pessimism around the environment, and replace it with fresh optimism and action.

Drawing inspiration from the concept of Moonshots, which since the moon landing in 1969 has become shorthand for the most ambitious and ground-breaking goals, Prince William announces The Earthshot Prize: an ambitious set of challenges initiating global, cross-sector action to repair the planet.

In what is set to be a ‘super year’ for the environment with crucial summits including the Convention on Biodiversity in China and the COP26 Climate Change Conference in the UK, Prince William will team up with global partners on a decade-long project that reaches every corner of the earth.

The new initiative, which has been under development for over a year, will refocus global attention on finding answers to the biggest issues currently facing the planet including: climate and energy, nature and biodiversity, oceans, air pollution and fresh water.

The Prize will encourage people to do more, to find new solutions that work on every level, which will have a positive effect on environmental change and improve living standards globally, particularly for communities who are most at risk from climate change.

By awarding innovation and transformational change, the Prize aims to inspire collaborative projects that would not otherwise have been pursued, sparking a global movement that encourages governments, businesses and communities to prioritise environmental issues.

A set of unique challenges, rooted in science, will aim to generate new ways of thinking, as well as new technologies, systems, policies and solutions.

Just as the Moonshot that John F. Kennedy proposed in the 1960s catalysed new technology such as the MRI scanner and satellite dishes, the Earthshots aim to launch their own tidal wave of ambition and innovation.

Crucially, the Earthshots aim to reward progress across all sectors of industry and society, not just technology. The Prize could be awarded to a wide range of individuals, teams or collaborations – scientists, activists, economists, leaders, governments, banks, businesses, cities, and countries – anyone who is making a substantial development or outstanding contribution to solving these environmental challenges.

In addition to a significant financial award, winners will receive large-scale public recognition for their work that will aim to inspire business and government collaboration and scaling.

With plans to formally launch the project later this year, intense work is already underway on this multi-million pound project.

The Earthshot challenges will be announced in special events around the globe and an annual awards ceremony will take place in different cities across the world each year between 2021 and 2030.

Prince William said: “The earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual ability to lead, innovate and problem-solve. Remember the awe inspiring civilisations that we have built, the life-saving technology we have created, the fact that we have put a man on the moon. People can achieve great things. The next ten years present us with one of our greatest tests – a decade of action to repair the Earth.”

1 Dead, 2 Injured in Downtown Minneapolis Fight and Stabbing

Jennifer Lewerenz | Dec 30, 2019 AT 11:40 am

Click to Enlarge Photo: Jennifer Lewerenz KNSI News

(AP) - An altercation in downtown Minneapolis has left one man dead and two other people with injuries.

Police say a fight between two men resulted in one of them stabbing the other Sunday morning.

The man who was stabbed got in an SUV and intentionally ran over the other man accused of inflicting his injuries, according to investigators.

The two men, in their 40s, along with another person in the vehicle were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center. Authorities say the man hit by the SUV later died at the hospital.

The condition of the other man improved and he was arrested on suspicion of murder. The third person injured suffered minor injuries that appeared to be crash related.

Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

Posted By Jennifer Lewerenz News Director Jennifer is a twin cities native, spending the entire 20 plus years of her radio career in Minnesota. She and her husband enjoy cooking, fishing, laughing, sports and traveling.

Trophies tarnish and memories fade with the years. As days become decades and weeks become generations, names on banners and numbers hanging high in arenas become more “who was that?” than “remember when?” Life on this planet is full of arrivals and departures, comings and goings. That’s simply how things go. And the recollections of those remarkable runs and civic moments of pride gradually fall victim to the ages.

But images. Pictures. Photographs. Those can tell more in a single frame than even the most gifted wordsmith can in thousands of words. This is especially true for the year that was in Memphis for their Grizzlies.

The year 2019 was one of change for the Memphis Grizzlies. The final goodbye to a bygone era and the beginnings of building what is next to come made the past 364 days feel quite consequential. Departures of Chris Wallace, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and others while the arrivals of Zachary Kleiman (ok, he was already, but the arrival of more opportunity), Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, and others have led us to a very different place at the end of December than we were at the beginning of this past January.

There are many new faces, and still a lot of uncertainty about who exactly will be in Memphis for the long run. There are some things around the Grizzlies that has been absent for some time. There’s a lack of connection that comes with the present levels of unfamiliarity...but there’s also hope.

There are losses, but there is direction.

There was sadness, but now there’s joy.

It shows in the following images. Portraits of faith in something fresh and fun being built by hard work and a little bit of luck. Profiles in hope that the turning page and long list of exits will result in Memphis entering the dawn of a new, better age. Portrayals of love between those that already know each other like brothers, and those that likely eventually will.

Because this city, this community has proven this past decade that it doesn’t have to simply be just basketball. It can be so much more. It has in Memphis. And in time, it will again for the Grizzlies.

An embrace of what once was

You were expecting someone else?

There’s a much more famous picture of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley hugging that you’ve almost certainly seen before. Both Marc and Mike are in the heat of battle roughly 10 days before the photo above was taken. Gasol lifts Conley up off the floor in a giant hug - one final moment of triumph together. It brings about all sorts of emotions that the photo above...doesn’t. Unbridled joy, pride, the raw competitiveness that Memphis fell in love with in the Grit and Grind Grizzlies that Marc and Mike were the last vestiges of.

So why this image, instead of the other “bear” hug?

In a word? Acceptance.

We all worked through the various stages of grief when Grit and Grind really died in 2017 (and you can probably argue even earlier than that) when Zach Randolph and Tony Allen departed Memphis. Depression, denial, anger, guilt...then, the desire to rebuild. By the time the photo above was taken, most everyone that has followed this team, at least for the past decade, has finally achieved that final stage of acceptance. Gasol and Conley alone were not enough - health, missteps in talent acquisition, and other issues along the way helped make that so, of course. But that doesn’t change the fact that it was, indeed, so. The time had come to move on.

Marc Gasol didn’t dress for this game because he was in the throws of deep trade talks. He would depart Memphis just two days later for the Toronto Raptors, where a title run and eventual championship ring would await. Yet he still came and sat on the bench despite the awkwardness that comes with an impending departure, one that wasn’t necessarily asked for by the player directly but was still necessary on both ends of the transaction. He did so to, for one last time, be with his teammates. To bask in the glow of a loving Memphis fan base and city that sees him as one of their own.

And to hug his brother Mike one last time on the FedExForum floor.

Other long-term Grizzlies were also gone, like JaMychal Green. But Conley, who of course was traded to Utah and their Jazz later in the year, and Gasol were the headliners. The last two ties that bound the Grizzlies to their greatest era were gone. Their goodbye has helped lead to what was and is to come, almost like a parting gift. Two sons of Memphis departing via trades that have helped make a future that was once quite dark far less dreary while pursuing their own NBA Finals dreams.

It made saying goodbye with a smile and a hug, and not a sobbing collapse, a little easier to do.

With every goodbye...

The possibilities of what may be

Jaren Jackson Jr. is a Chris Wallace draft pick.

Well, as much of one as he could be, given how the power structure of the Grizzlies front office changed through the 2018-2019 season.

Jackson Jr. went 4th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft and was booed on his draft night, largely because many still saw Memphis as a team trying to compete for playoff glory at that stage (including myself). If the current front office and philosophy of asset acquisition was in place at that time, the pick would have been more supported. So when Wallace departed - first with lesser responsibility as soon as the Gasol trade negotiations behind the scenes, and certainly by the time he was reassigned to scouting with the ascension of Zachary Kleiman - no one should have been happier than Jaren.

Because now he could be given the room necessary to grow free of expectations...and thanks to a little luck, the running mate to take on the brunt of the star factor for the future of the Memphis Grizzlies.

The 2019 NBA Draft Lottery brought the Grizzlies the 2nd overall pick, and eventually Ja Morant. And goodness does he shine brightly - he is explosive and electrifying in a way that no player has ever been in Memphis history. He attacks the game of basketball and oozes confidence, a swagger fitting of the city that he now calls home. He and Jaren can grow and learn the ways of NBA professionalism together, much like Marc Gasol and Mike Conley before them. They’ll hopefully be here forever - like Marc and Mike were and will be - and add another chapter to the story of Grizzlies basketball.

Add in the ability of Memphis to take advantage of the foolishness of 17 other NBA teams (New Orleans with Zion Williamson, Memphis with the aforementioned Morant, and the Knicks get a pass on RJ Barrett out of fairness to consistency on my end) to pass on Brandon Clarke’s unbelievable efficiency and ability to contribute at an extremely high level on both ends of the floor? Through the Gasol and Conley trades (a 2nd rounder from Mike’s move helped the Grizzlies move up to get Clarke), enough cap and pick capital was gained to make moves and take advantage of the luck that fell in the lap of Memphis. And now Clarke looks the part of a Draymond Green-level contributor, potentially, to the next great Grizzlies team.

In the place of Grit and Grind? A malleable unnamed era still at the beginnings of being shaped.

A new personification of Memphis

Folks are always in a rush to be first these days.

Christening this new era of Grizzlies basketball is no different. Proclaiming a nickname here, defining a style of play there...it can be enough to make you heave. But where the previous greatest run of professional basketball in Memphis Grizzlies history was defined by four individuals - Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen - the next one, while Jaren Jackson Jr. and other will play key parts, will be defined by one man.

Ja Morant. Because he embodies the very best of all four of them.

He understands the city like Marc Gasol did, largely because he, like Gasol, spent a lot of time in the south growing. Of course the path of Gasol - little brother of an NBA player, private school education, etc. - was a bit different from the beginnings of Morant. But Ja gets what connection a community like Memphis can make to basketball thanks to his upbringing in South Carolina. He knows how important it is to give back to those that invested in you as well as those in need. That will pay off in emotional investment and connection from Memphis for Morant, as it did for Gasol.

Ja is raw energy like Tony Allen was. The difference, though, is folks tuned in to see what the hell TA was going to do in a somewhat joking/morbid way at times. When it comes to Morant it’s wanting to see a moment live before it hits social media and the highlight reels. Another commonality is both are genuine. There’s not much fake about Tony Allen. He is who he is, and he wears it on his sleeve. From Spongebob shoes to his flashy style of play, Ja Morant is a chip off the Grit and Grind block.

Besides the obvious point guard comparison, Ja Morant and Mike Conley share a charisma and willingness to take over key moments that only true leaders possess. To be in the final parts of a contest and want the ball in your hands is one thing. To be trusted by your teammates and coaches to do so, and to do the next right thing for your team is quite another. Mike Conley earned the moniker of “Captain” through playing through injury and aggressively embracing all that comes with being a leader. Early in his career, Ja looks more than able to be that guy for the Grizzlies.

He’s a personification of Memphis like Zach Randolph was, but in his own unique way. Sure, Morant missed the dunk above, but at the end of the day that’s not what matters. He was willing to try the damn thing. He’s not a big bodied bruiser like Zach. He perhaps should be a bit more careful with his mid-air antics. Where Zach was the bully of bullies, Ja is the unafraid fighter outpunching his weight class, not because he doesn’t know any better...

He just doesn’t give a shit. And Memphis loves it.

He competes at the highest level without fear. He sees your seven footer and tries to figure out how to out-leap him. Apply that literal attempt to the path ahead of the Grizzlies - forget the current standings and misguided postseason hopes. There will be difficult days ahead. Memphis is fortunate to have a young man out in front, with capable help beside him, to get the franchise to learn from both the good and the bad and move forward.

Perhaps upward is more apt, to continue the dunking parallels. But this next year and decade of Grizzlies basketball, ironically, will have a lot of similarities to the previous and last. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Instead of a core four, though, the future will be defined by a humble, hard working young man with a flash for the remarkable and a feel for what makes basketball special in Memphis because he’s lived it.

A hug, three smiles, and a leap. Seven words about three images that made all the difference to the 2019 Memphis Grizzlies. The ramifications of the actions that led to the men in those photographs coming to, and going from, the Bluff City will ring through the eras to come. These pictures tell more than the story of the year for the Memphis Grizzlies.

They remind us of what basketball is this city was, and is, and what it will be again.

Follow @sbngrizzlies

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