Letter: Let change come organically, not by forceA greater emphasis on quick transitions, intelligent movement, and interchange of positions among their attacking players could help Arsenal create more goal-scoring opportunities and capitalize on their opponents' defensive vulnerabilities. The introduction of a quality left winger could facilitate these improvements and give Arsenal a more balanced and potent attacking line-up.
As the convoy finally emerged from the green corridor, a collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd, marking the end of a perilous journey and the beginning of a new chapter of hope and renewal. The Chinese nationals walked out of the shadows of war, their spirits lifted by the promise of a brighter future ahead.
Furthermore, chronic sleep deprivation can have serious long-term consequences on our physical health. Studies have shown that inadequate sleep is linked to a higher risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. When we consistently deprive ourselves of rest, we are putting our overall well-being at risk.Ponnam for enhanced school bus safetyStanding tall and proud against the backdrop of the snowy landscape, the snow aircraft carrier served as a testament to the ingenuity and collaborative spirit of the Harbin Engineering University community. The attention to detail in the sculpture, from the runways to the radar towers, demonstrated the team's commitment to excellence and their unwavering dedication to the project.
Thumbs up to the Fayette County Humane Society staff and volunteers who served a special Christmas dinner to more than 100 dogs and cats housed at the shelter. Thumbs up also go to contributors from the community who made the special holiday meal possible. The Christmas meal included turkey, pumpkin purée, cookies, whipped cream, and other trimmings. Serving the animals a holiday meal began at Thanksgiving, said Fallyn Wakefield, executive director of the Fayette County Humane Society. “We just started it this year on Thanksgiving,” Wakefield said. “And it’s going to be a tradition that we’re going to try to carry through. “It’s just thinking about these dogs on Christmas,” she said. “They have no families, so we try to make it the best we can here for them.” ••• Thumbs up to the steady growth in the number of visitors to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve since the park’s redesignation four years ago. On Dec. 27, 2020, the New River Gorge National River officially became the 63rd national park after the U.S. Congress passed funding through the New River Gorge National Park Designation Act. Encompassing more than 70,000 acres of land along a 53-mile stretch of the New River, the park extends from the Bluestone Dam in Summers County, up through Raleigh County, and on to its most northern point at Hawks Nest Lake in Fayette County. “Typically after a redesignation, numbers will settle out at about a 20-percent increase, but we’re almost double that,” said Eve West, the park’s chief of interpretation. West noted the park is seeing people who visit simply to visit and are not just passing through. “It used to be, New River was just a place people passed through to get to Shenandoah, to get to the Smokies and other areas, but we have truly become a destination point now, we are a place where people will come, spend three days a week, you know, it has really changed that a lot,” she said. West said national parks are wonderful places that bring people together to explore the vastness of nature this country has to offer, and they are proud West Virginia can now be a major contributing factor in that. “I think that’s a really, really important piece of what we do,” she said. “You know, it’s hard to say no to nature, it’s a place you can get out, be healthy, find solace, it’s a place you can have a bonding experience with friends and family, and I think we offer a lot of really, really good opportunities for the United States population right now.” ••• Thumbs up to the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute for providing patients greater access to a groundbreaking Alzheimer’s disease treatment. In 2020, approximately 38,000 West Virginians – or 10.2 percent of adults over the age of 65 in the state – had Alzheimer’s. Nearly 14 percent of West Virginians who are 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline, diagnosed when a person experiences memory loss or confusion, but performs normally on cognitive tests. All patients receive an initial workup and examination at the RNI Memory Health Clinic, including MRI and PET imaging, blood tests, physical and neurological exams, and a neuropsychological evaluation. A multidisciplinary team then develops a treatment plan. Patients then receive the IV infusion at the infusion center closest to them. Return trips to Morgantown are only necessary for follow-up visits and MRI imaging to check for side effects. Along with the Cancer Institute, Wheeling Hospital, and Garrett Regional Medical Center, the program has expanded to include WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital, Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, and Thomas Hospitals in Charleston. “For patients on a Leqembi treatment regimen, there are already a lot of stressors in their lives and for their families,” said Stephen Cox, D.O., neurologist at Princeton Community Hospital’s Neurology Clinic. “Having access to this Alzheimer’s treatment right here in our region of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia eliminates the need for hours of travel to an academic medical center. This not only eases the emotional and physical burden on families, but also improves the likelihood that patients can consistently attend all their appointments, which is crucial for the effectiveness of this treatment.” ••• Thumbs up to Oceana Middle School eighth-graders, who are among the four state winners in the annual First Lady Student Ornament Competition. Their ornament is displayed in the Great Hall of the Culture Center in Charleston along with the other submitted ornaments. The competition had 144 entries from 23 West Virginia counties. Each winning class was awarded a $100 gift card to purchase art supplies. Here’s to nurturing the creativity of youngsters. ••• Thumbs up to two Wyoming County schools – Oceana Middle and Pineville Middle – that have been named state finalists in the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow STEM competition. Additional state finalists include East Fairmont Middle School and two teams at Morgantown High School. Each state finalist wins a $2,500 technology prize package for their school. Three national winners will be selected from the 50 state winners to be named in March. Each national winner will receive a $100,000 prize package – part of a $2 million prize pool. The annual competition is designed to empower students to use the power of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) to create innovative solutions addressing critical issues in their communities. By applying Problem-based Learning (PBL) principles, environmental stewardship, and social impact entrepreneurship, the competition engages sixth through 12th grades students in active, hands-on learning that can be applied to real-world problems – such as the climate crisis, mental health and wellness, and school safety issues – in an effort to make STEM skills more tangible and showcase its value both in and outside the classroom. Here’s to the hard work and extra effort of all the participating students and their teachers. Compiled by Mary Catherine Brooks for The Register-HeraldIn a remarkable achievement, the province of Liaoning in China has successfully completed the task of early delivery of 41,715 housing units, a month ahead of schedule. This significant milestone highlights the province's dedication to meeting the housing needs of its residents and underscores its commitment to ensuring the timely completion of key infrastructure projects.As for the woman who survived the botulism poisoning, she expressed relief and gratitude for the timely intervention that saved her life. She shared her story as a cautionary tale to raise awareness about the importance of safety and vigilance when undergoing cosmetic procedures.
Dong Yuhui "Little Essay" Incident One Year On: Business Horizon Continues to ExpandFurthermore, the enigmatic Angel Di Maria also experienced a tumultuous spell at Manchester United. Known for his flair and creativity, Di Maria arrived at the club with high expectations but failed to live up to the hype. Inconsistent performances and a lack of adaptation to the Premier League saw Di Maria struggle to make a lasting impact, leading to his eventual departure from the club. Despite flashes of brilliance, Di Maria's inability to consistently deliver on the big stage left a lasting impression on fans and critics alike.
Alameda County divested $32 million from the construction equipment company Caterpillar on Tuesday in response to outrage by activists over the use of the equipment by Israel’s military to . With the Board of Supervisors’ vote this week approving the move, Alameda County becomes the to strip public funds from corporations that support Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as part of a new effort to craft an ethical investment policy. “I have initiated the sale of three bonds from the Caterpillar corporation. Two of our three positions have already been sold,” Alameda County Treasurer Henry C. Levy, the only Jewish elected official in the county, said at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting. “I am committed to working with community members to ensure the fiscal policies of our county create safe and sound impacts within the county with our investment’s impact.” The bonds represent 0.3% of Alameda County’s $11 billion investment portfolio. Levy said Caterpillar’s investments would become a “distraction” to creating a new ethical investment policy because of concerns around the company’s reputation. He said divestment from other companies in the county’s portfolio can not be decided until a full analysis is performed. Caterpillar did not respond to the Bay Area New Group’s request for comment. The strategy of divestment is heralded by activists for removing financial support from targeted entities by selling off bonds, contracts, and other investments. Divestment has historically been used to oppose apartheid in South Africa, spurring global support and the eventual collapse of the regime in 1994. Violence in Gaza escalated after the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis. Israel’s war in Gaza following the attack has killed nearly 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Around the Bay Area, pro-Palestinian activists have demanded divestment from Israel and many companies that do business with it. For months, the organization Bay Area Divest! has called for divestment from Caterpillar, which they claim knowingly sold its powerful D9 bulldozer to Israel’s military for use in the demolition of Palestinian homes to make way for future Israeli settlements. The international nonprofit Human Rights Watch has to the Israeli military since 2004. “By challenging corporations like Caterpillar, we are paving the way for a future where human rights are non-negotiable,” said economist Michelle Williams, a representative of Bay Area Divest! in a statement. “Our success shows that divestment is not just a tool for accountability—it’s a way to reshape public expectations and redefine what we collectively accept as just and ethical.” At the meeting Tuesday night, pro-Palestinian supporters spilled out of the Board of Supervisors chambers, forcing officials to open an overflow room. More than 100 residents spoke during the public comment period that extended well into the evening. Supervisor Keith Carson led the Board of Supervisors in calling for an ethical investment policy and the divestment from companies that support Israel’s occupation efforts. He said he had traveled to the Middle East last week and observed the human toll of the war in Gaza and the escalating conflict across the region. “Alameda County has a history of making investment decisions in alignment with our values such as the September 1985 unanimous action to divest from South Africa and the September 1996 unanimous decision to bar investing in companies that do business with Burma,” Carson said. “This is an attempt for us to pump the breaks, if not for us to continue to show that we all have to learn to co-exist. The vast majority of speakers during public comment supported the divestment. “I want to look you each in the eyes as you vote for or against this, and I will never forget any of these votes,” a District 3 resident who identified themselves as E said. “I want to watch you adopt the ethical investment strategy.” Though Levy had already initiated the sale of Caterpillar Inc. bonds, the county treasurer sought more prescriptive language for a formal ethical investment policy to be applied for the county. The crux of this issue, he said, came between positive screening – investing in favor of industries aligned with the county’s values – versus negative screening, which he feared could change with political headwinds. “You begin to put this laundry list of bad things – tobacco, private prisons – you begin to long list of things on it and I don’t think that’s a good way to write policy,” Levy said. “People are here for one particular issue, but next year there might be a different issue. And I don’t want to write a policy specifically about one issue.” Supervisor David Haubert was skeptical of the divestment strategy’s effectiveness in countering Israel’s occupation of Palestine and its use of Caterpillar bulldozers. He questioned whether Caterpillar should be held to the same standard as weapons manufacturers whose products are used by the Israeli military. “I don’t believe that Caterpillar said, ‘Please go use our tractors this way.’” Haubert said, drawing groans from the audience. “My fear is, if it’s not one tractor, then it’s another tractor. And where do you draw the line? If you divest from all tractors, then how do we build homes?” Where to draw the line for divestment will be the central question over the next 90 days for Levy and the Treasury Oversight Committee, who will craft a comprehensive investment policy to present to the Board of Supervisors. For pro-Palestinin activists, however, the county’s decision to proceed with divestment from Israel is the most significant victory in over a year of campaigning for an end to the war in Gaza. When the Board of Supervisors gave their unanimous approval, the supervisors’ chambers filled with the sound of activists’ cheers and the waving of Palestinian flags. Divestment is just one tool, Levy said, but he hoped the decision would lead to a more secure and safe community in Alameda County for Jews and Palestinians alike. “I feel a great sorrow that long histories of trauma have triggered fear, still trigger fear and other emotions when issues like this emerge,” Levy said. “This decision, and any future divestment decision that our office may make, is about adhering to the values of Alameda County and the principles of a more profound understanding of socially responsible investing.”
Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Economists Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Executives Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020
In conclusion, the soaring performance of the China Golden Dragon Index, coupled with the bullish sentiment among foreign investors, underscores the attractiveness of Chinese assets in the global investment arena. As China continues to drive innovation, economic reform, and market liberalization, foreign investors have identified the vast opportunities that the Chinese market offers. With sustained momentum and favorable market conditions, China is poised to emerge as a key player in the global investment landscape, attracting capital inflows and driving economic growth in the years to come.
