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Veteran author and columnist Florencio "Chito" Gavino III launched his 28th book, The Real State of Our Nation, on Tuesday, December 10. The book explores the four key determinants shaping the Filipino nation: government, politics, economy, and values. “These are the four critical elements that define the true state of our nation, and sadly, the Philippines has faltered in all of them,” Gavino said. He advocates for a "peaceful cultural revolution" aimed at real social transformation to address these issues. Gavino calls on societal leaders to engage with the book's message and work towards healing the nation's "four determinants" to build a stronger, more prosperous future. At 89, Gavino has witnessed the country's evolution firsthand, and his experiences inspired him to pen this book for future generations. He invites readers to access a digital copy on his social media platform, "Be A New Filipino - Chito Gavino III," or offers free copies to those interested. PR
Humble ISD trustees will consider naming a lone finalist for the district’s vacant superintendent position on Dec. 17—less than a month after terminating former Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen’s contract. The details The specially called meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 17 at the district’s Board, Business & Technology Center, located at 20200 Eastway Village Drive, Humble. How we got here The meeting is coming roughly three weeks after trustees voted 6-1 in favor of formally terminating Fagen’s contract . In May, trustees voted 4-2 in favor of placing Fagen on paid administrative leave before voting 4-3 in July to propose the termination of her contract . Fagen initially appealed the board’s decision to the Texas Education Agency , which resulted in a three-day hearing held on Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 6. While her initial appeal was unsuccessful, Fagen said she will now appeal the matter directly to TEA Commissioner Mike Morath. Deputy Superintendent Roger Brown has been serving as acting superintendent since Fagen was placed on paid leave. What’s next HISD Chief Communications Officer Jamie Mount said the board will need to wait at least 21 days after naming a finalist before trustees can vote to formally appoint a new superintendent.
By Victor Edozie, Port Harcourt The Rivers State Governor, Sir Similanayi Fubara, says he is getting stronger daily with the support of the people amid the political crisis in the state. He said it was delightful to see true leaders of the state and well-meaning people standing on the right side of history despite the pressure to surrender to tyranny and oppression. Fubara and his predecessor, former Governor Nyesom Wike, have been at loggerheads over the political leadership of the state. Governor Fubara, in a press statement issued in Port Harcourt on Saturday by his Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, vowed to continue to do what is right. He was quoted as speaking during Christmas Ballad hosted by former Rivers State Governor, Sir Peter Odili for him and his family. Governor Siminalayi Fubara said that God has proved Himself worthy as the Ultimate Liberator of the State and its people because God ensured total triumph over the political crisis and those behind it. Blackout in Abuja as TCN announces repairs South Korean team installs rice mills in Bayelsa The governor stated that while the political antagonism lasted, God gave him a new perspective to leadership, adding that with the support from Rivers people, he stopped seeing the crisis as a problem but as a necessary enabler in governance. He said, “And not just because I want to accept it, I get stronger in this course every day when I look at the support I am getting from the true Rivers people. “So, it is not me being strong. My strength is drawn from everyone of you that is here. You gave me the encouragement; you do the work for me; you make the calls for me. So, why won’t I stand up for you. “But we also believe strongly that the ultimate game changer, the ultimate liberator, and the ultimate fighter still remains God Almighty. And because we have Him on our side, victory is assured.” Governor Fubara said God is in control of the affairs of the state, assuring the people that 2025 would be better than what they had experienced. He promised that his administration would make every succeeding year in the state better with remarkable records of progress, stressing that the excitement experienced among Rivers people during Christmas celebrations was indicative of a brighter future ahead. Former Governor Odili in his speech said governor Fubara confronted the political challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance and made civil servants and Rivers people happier as they used to be until he (Odili) left office in 2007. Odili explained that it was over 12 months, since October 25, 2023, when a fierce existential fight, though unnecessary, was waged against Fubara over the soul of Rivers State. He stated that he, his wife and children, decided to host Fubara in appreciation of the fortitude and sterling leadership qualities he had demonstrated. Also speaking, Justice Mary Odili, who presented gifts to Fubara, his wife, Lady Valerie, and children, said God knew long ago the need for an emancipator and gave Governor Fubara to Rivers State. She stated that Fubara had played the role satisfactorily, and pledged the continuous support of her family to the success of his administration. Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You. despite pressure Gov Fubara right side Rivers people
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Mohan Kuthar Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru Mangaluru, Dec 28: The tragic gas explosion that occurred at a house in Khandige, Manjanady village, on December 8 has claimed another life. Fatimath Maizha (9), who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital, has passed away, raising the death toll to three. In the incident, the mother and three daughters had sustained severe burns and injuries. The explosion occurred while the family was asleep, engulfing the entire house in flames. The victims, including the mother Kubra and her three daughters Zulekha Mahadiya, Mazhiya, and Fatimath Maizha, were rushed to a private hospital in Deralakatte. Kubra succumbed to her injuries on December 13, followed by her eldest daughter Zulekha Mahadiya on December 26. With Fatimath Maizha's passing, only one daughter, Mazhiya, has survived and been discharged after recovering from her injuries. Preliminary investigations suggest that the incident was caused by a gas leak from an additional LPG cylinder stored in the house. A case has been registered at Konaje police station against the gas agency. Speaker U T Khader visits affected family Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U T Khader visited the house affected by the explosion on Saturday. Speaking to the media, he expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and emphasized the importance of humanity over politics during such difficult times. "This incident in the Muthalib family is extremely heartbreaking. Responsibility lies with me, and I understand when compensation needs to be provided. Announcing compensation when lives are hanging by a thread isn’t appropriate. Money isn’t everything in such moments. In a civil society, certain ethical considerations must be upheld, and humanity shouldn’t be forgotten. Not everything is political," he said. Khader added, "I will consult with elders in the community and the family members. Some people speaking about this incident haven’t even visited the hospital or the affected house. The matter has already been discussed with the chief minister. Discussions will also involve the gas company, police department, and fire brigade. Although I couldn’t visit earlier due to the assembly session, the primary focus is to save lives. With the cooperation of the local community, every effort will be made to support the family. All departments will stand by them in their time of need." He further mentioned, "Skin grafts were arranged overnight from Belagavi, and discussions were held with Mumbai facilities for further assistance if required. Let us refrain from politicizing this tragedy." The visit was attended by assistant commissioner Harshavardhan, ACP Dhanya M Nayak, HP Gas marketing division manager Rahul, tahsildar Puttaraju, former ZP member NS Kareem, Monu Kalkatta, KP Ashraf, Ashraf Katte, and Rafiq Kalkatta. Mangaluru: Gas cylinder blast - Death toll rises to two as teenager succumbs Mangaluru: Woman succumbs to injuries from gas cylinder blast Mangaluru: Gas cylinder blast injures mother, three children seriously
The fresh arrests in Pakistan in connection with the recent boat capsize incidents in Libya and Greece, and several earlier incidents, reflect how human-trafficking is largely a family-run business, and also how freely criminals are allowed to operate in the country. The arrested individuals include a woman from the so-called Jajja network of Sialkot. According to media reports, members of the network, mainly managed by a few siblings and their spouses, are based in several countries which helps them extort their victims several times over - first in Pakistan, when a person pays to be smuggled abroad, and then at various stops along the route, when traffickers threaten them to pay more, either on the spot or via friends and relatives in Pakistan, if they want to continue on the way to their intended destinations. The Jajjas were involved in a fraudulent work visa scheme, and some of their victims were on board the boats that recently sank in Greek and Libyan waters. Law enforcement also revealed several 'new' routes taken by trafficked individuals, including going to Saudi Arabia on legitimate Umrah visas, then being smuggled to Egypt, from where they would be taken to Libya for the eventual journey to Europe. Though still dangerous, the relative initial safety of this route - compared to land crossings via Iran or Afghanistan - may encourage people to sign up with human smugglers. It is also worth noting that several people who have been arrested or booked are middlemen based in rural areas, where most of the 'recruiting' takes place. However, none of the politically connected masterminds who handle operations in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi have been touched. One of the problems identified by experts is that lack of anti-trafficking legislation at the provincial level has hindered law enforcement, as provinces do not always strictly enforce national-level anti-trafficking regulations. This allows some criminals to stay under the radar by operating outside their local law enforcement's jurisdictions, while the kingpins can use their connections to hide in plain sight. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our
Los Alamos Chief Engineer Joins Nuclear Fusion Startup Fuse to Lead Federal BusinessLots of people, especially city dwellers and renters, don’t have rooftops where they can install solar panels to generate some of the electricity they use in their daily lives. Community solar offers a partial solution for some, but it is not available everywhere. In Germany, more than 1.5 million people have installed Balkonkraftwerke , which translates as “balcony power plants.” Almost every apartment has a balcony with a railing to keep folks from tumbling into the street below. If it gets any sun exposure during the day, balcony solar panels can be mounted to those railings to make electricity that helps power a home. Proponents say balcony solar panels are easy to install on railings (and uninstall if need be in the event of storms). Once in place, people simply plug a micro-inverter into an available wall outlet. Add a small battery to store any solar energy not needed right away and you have your own personal micro-minigrid inside your home. The systems sell for between $500 and $1000, depending on the number of solar panels purchased. A typical system consists of two 150-watt panels and can pay for itself in a few years. It is also highly portable, so it can easily be transported from one apartment to another if the owner moves. According to Grist , Germany now has more than 550,000 balcony solar installations , half of which were installed in 2023. During the first six months of 2024, Germany added 200 megawatts of balcony solar. Regulations limit each system to just 800 watts, which is enough to power a small fridge or charge a laptop, but the cumulative effect is nudging the country toward its clean energy goals while giving apartment dwellers, who make up more than half of the German population, an easy way to save money and address the climate crisis. Matthias Weyland, who lives in Keil, tells Grist , “I love the feeling of charging the bike when the sun is shining, or having the washing machine run when the sun is shining, and to know that it comes directly from the sun. It’s a small step you can take as a tenant” and an act of “self-efficacy, to not just sit and wait until the climate crisis gets worse.” Balcony solar started a decade ago, but didn’t really catch on until 2019 when the German government enacted the first technical regulations for plug-in solar devices, allowing balcony solar systems to use standard electrical plugs and feed into the grid. That prompted an influx of plug-in devices and advocates to promote the technology. The pandemic helped fuel the surge in popularity as people spent more time working from home. The escalating energy price of electricity that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led more Germans to consider balcony solar. “People just did anything they could to reduce their energy bills,” said Wolfgang Gründinger, who works with the clean energy company Enpal . In April, the German government simplified permitting and registration requirements, and in July, federal lawmakers passed renter protections that prevent landlords from arbitrarily blocking installations. Cities throughout Germany, including Berlin, have offered millions of euros in subsidies to install balcony solar. Gründinger and experts at the German Solar Industry Association noted that the devices don’t generate enough power to strain the grid, and their standardized design and safety features allow them to integrate into balconies smoothly and easily. Many of them like the idea of producing energy at home and gaining a bit of independence from the grid. The system also provides a tangible way to take climate action. “It makes the energy transition feel a little more concrete and not so abstract,” said Helena Holenweger of Environmental Action Germany. She installed a balcony solar system on top of her garage about a year ago. “You can literally do something about it.” Holenweger and others say balcony solar led them to reevaluate their understanding of electricity consumption and take steps to reduce it. “For lots of people, energy is just something that comes out of your socket. You never think about how it gets there or how it works.” The systems don’t include battery storage, so the juice they generate must be used immediately, leading people to plan the best time to run the washing machine to ensure they’re using renewable energy. In that way, it becomes something of a game. Many balcony solar kits feature an app to track daily energy generation. That has become something of a scorecard for many who have balcony solar systems. “They screenshot that, they send it around to their Facebook groups, family WhatsApp groups. They’re super proud,” Gründinger said. Manufacturers say that installing a couple of 300-watt panels will give savings of up to 30% on a typical household’s electricity bill, but there are lots of variables that come with that claim. It depends on which direction the balcony faces and whether the panels are shaded part of the day. Perhaps the biggest benefit is the increased awareness of the need to find solutions to climate emissions. People with balcony solar systems influence others and it seems reasonable to expect they will vote for leaders who share their concerns. In Spain, where two thirds of the population live in apartments and installing panels on the roof requires the consent of a majority of the building’s residents, this DIY technology has obvious advantages. With solar balconies, no such consent is required unless the facade is listed as being of historic interest or there is a specific prohibition from the residents’ association or the local authority. According to The Guardian , as long as the installation does not exceed 800 watts — about what a typical hairdryer uses — one doesn’t require certification. “The beauty of the solar balconies is they are flexible, cheap and plug straight into the domestic network via a converter, so you don’t have to pay for the installation,” says Santiago Vernetta, CEO of Tornasol Energy , one of Spain’s main suppliers. As the cost of solar panels continues to fall, Vernetta says the labor cost of installing rooftop solar is often greater than the price of the materials. He adds that the vertical surface area of cities is far greater than that of available roofs and that balcony panels benefit more than roof panels from the low winter sun. Raquel Paule, director of the Fundación Renovables in Madrid, says the increasingly popular energy communities in which residents benefit from solar installations on the roofs of nearby schools and sports centers are another way around the problem of majority consent. “Balcony power is another piece in the puzzle. They are another step towards using the built environment to generate electricity. Paule emphasizes that self sufficiency, whether in individual households or energy communities, is a vital part of energy transition, especially for cities which depend on outside sources for about 97% of their electricity. “Cities need to become more self-sufficient by generating more,” she says. “Energy transition involves a change from cities depending on a centralised system with big companies supplying electricity to a more widely distributed, more democratic and more participative model, and this is what the energy companies are scared of. Big energy companies should be pushing for renewables because they’ve played a big part in getting us into this situation. Instead of creating obstacles, they should be facilitators by giving everyone access to the grid that they control.” “Plug-in solar is part of the whole array of options,” says Michael Schmela, director of market intelligence at SolarPower Europe, an umbrella group for 320 European solar power organisations. “What’s special about balcony power is it’s so versatile and you can install it as part of the building. This is the next step. The technology is there but the regulations and architects have to embrace it. There are so many solutions and balcony solar is the latest trend. For years solar has been the fastest growing and cheapest in the energy sector,” Schmela says, adding that what is needed now is battery development and greater cohesion between wind, solar, and other renewables. Vernetta says Spain has been slow to catch on to balcony power, but he remains confident the technology will take off. “If 1.5 million Germans have bought solar balcony kits there must be something in it,” he says. CleanTechnica's Comment Policy LinkedIn WhatsApp Facebook Bluesky Email Reddit
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Kewaunee Scientific Co. ( NASDAQ:KEQU – Get Free Report ) CEO Thomas David Hull III sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, December 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.01, for a total transaction of $126,020.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 42,497 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,677,735.97. The trade was a 4.49 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Kewaunee Scientific Trading Up 0.3 % KEQU stock opened at $63.81 on Friday. Kewaunee Scientific Co. has a fifty-two week low of $27.00 and a fifty-two week high of $66.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 2.53. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $42.62 and a 200 day moving average price of $43.28. The firm has a market cap of $183.13 million, a PE ratio of 10.11 and a beta of 0.80. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Kewaunee Scientific from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 18th. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in KEQU. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Kewaunee Scientific by 18,000.0% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 905 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 900 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC purchased a new position in shares of Kewaunee Scientific in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $121,000. Heron Bay Capital Management bought a new position in shares of Kewaunee Scientific during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $252,000. State Street Corp purchased a new stake in Kewaunee Scientific during the 3rd quarter valued at $266,000. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management raised its holdings in Kewaunee Scientific by 24.6% during the 3rd quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 10,913 shares of the technology company’s stock valued at $363,000 after buying an additional 2,156 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 32.69% of the company’s stock. About Kewaunee Scientific ( Get Free Report ) Kewaunee Scientific Corporation designs, manufactures, and installs laboratory, healthcare, and technical furniture and infrastructure products. The company operates through two segments, Domestic and International. Its products include steel and wood casework, fume hoods, adaptable modular systems, moveable workstations, stand-alone benches, biological safety cabinets, and epoxy resin work surfaces and sinks. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Kewaunee Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kewaunee Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Josh Book rifled in 29 points to power the Rockets (6-2) past the visitors from Seneca. Coach AJ Motta's Rockets were up 32-26 at halftime and 52-39 after three quarters. Cranberry posted a 22-13 scoring advantage over the final eight minutes, but SR held on for the win. Doug Popovec added 14 points for the Rockets and Max Kovacik had nine markers. Blake Marchinke led the Berries (5-3), Connor Morrow scored 15, and Cole Findlay added 13 markers. Saturday's matchups were set before the tourney tipped off. Moniteau played Freeport in the other game on Saturday. This Roundup will be updated throughout the day as stats are submitted to The Herald. Findlay 4-5-6-13, Nixson 1-0-0-2, Baker 4-0-0-8, Morrow 5-2-2-15, Marchinke 6-4-4-17, Zerbe 2-0-0-4, Blauser 1-0-0-2. Morrow 3, Marchinke 1. Kovacik 4-0-0-9, Popovec 5-3-4-14, Darr 1-1-2-4, Zorn 0-0-0-0, King 1-0-2-2, Campagna 0-2-2-2, Franco 2-0-0-5, Book 10-7-7-29. Book 2, Kovacik 1, Popovec 1, Darr 1, Franco 1.